Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory facts for kids
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Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory
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View from the east
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Blue Hills Reservation, Milton, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1885 |
| Architect | Arthur Rotch; George T. Tilden |
| Architectural style | Late Gothic Revival |
| MPS | Blue Hills and Neponset River Reservations MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000665 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 25, 1980 |
| Designated NHL | December 20, 1989 |
The Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory in Milton, Massachusetts is a very important place for studying weather in the United States. It sits on top of Great Blue Hill, about 10 miles south of Boston, Massachusetts. This observatory holds the record for the longest continuous weather observations in North America.
It was also where scientists first used kites to study the atmosphere in the 1890s. Later, in the 1930s, they helped develop the radiosonde, a device carried by balloons to measure weather high up.
Abbott Lawrence Rotch started the observatory in 1884. It quickly became a leader in the new science of meteorology, which is the study of weather. Many early scientific measurements of upper atmosphere conditions happened here. Scientists used kites to carry weather instruments high into the sky. This helped them learn about wind speeds, air temperature, and humidity at different heights. This information became very important for predicting weather.
By 1895, the observatory was making very accurate weather forecasts. On August 4, 1894, the first "atmospheric sounding" in the world took place here. A weather kite carried a thermometer up 2,030 feet above sea level. On October 8, 1896, a kite reached a record height of 8,740 feet (2,665 meters). During the Great New England Hurricane of 1938, the observatory recorded the strongest wind gust ever measured in a hurricane: 186 miles per hour (299 km/h).
The observatory is still active today. It keeps adding to its weather database, which is now over 100 years old. It stands as a monument to the science of weather in the United States.
Contents
History of the Observatory
Choosing the Site
The Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory was founded by an American meteorologist named Abbott Lawrence Rotch in 1885. After finishing college in 1884, Rotch decided to build a weather observatory. He chose the top of Great Blue Hill, ten miles south of Boston, Massachusetts. This area is part of the Blue Hills Reservation, a large public park.
Rotch picked this spot because at 635 feet, it was the highest point near the Atlantic Ocean. It was the highest spot on the East Coast south of central Maine. This location was perfect for early weather scientists. It allowed them to record extreme weather and try out new weather-measuring tools.
The observatory building was finished by the end of 1884. Regular weather observations began on February 1, 1885. Rotch was the first director. He paid for the observatory himself until he passed away in 1912. He then left it to Harvard University.
The Building's Design
Rotch started building the observatory in 1884 using his own money. Architects Rotch & Tilden designed it. The first building had a two-story round tower and a living area. The living area included two bedrooms, a dining room, and a kitchen. In 1889, a two-story east wing was added. This gave more space for research, daily tasks, and a library.
In 1902, a two-story west wing was built. It included a new library and more work space. A strong steel fire door and brick wall connected the library to the older building. The library roof used a special "timbrel vault" made of strong tiles. This type of roof was likely installed by the Guastavino Company.
Local stone from Great Blue Hill was used for the tower and the other parts of the building. Copper was used for the roofs. In 1905, a stone wall and iron fence were put up. This helped protect the building and its instruments.
The first stone tower wasn't perfect. Rain could get through its walls and damage the instruments and records. Vibrations from instruments on top of the tower also caused problems.
So, in 1908, the old tower was taken down. A new, stronger three-story concrete tower was built. It was 20 feet 6 inches wide and 32 feet 8 inches high. This new tower was designed to be very stable and durable, especially in strong winds. It has a decorative top and windows with arched tops.
The new tower provided a stable and weather-resistant place for accurate instrument readings. The director's office is on the first floor. The weather bureau is on the second floor. A laboratory and access to the roof are on the third floor. Different wind gauges and other weather instruments are on the roof. The observatory still uses old barometers and other tools from the late 1800s. These old tools help them make sure the modern data is accurate.
In 1962, a metal tower was built next to the west wing. It had mirrors to collect sunlight for upper atmosphere studies. This project was stopped after a few years. The tower is still there with its mirrors, but it is not used anymore.
In 1980, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In 1981, a local group called the Blue Hill Weather Club took over the observatory. They planned to fix it up and create a weather museum. The observatory continues to take daily weather observations. The National Weather Service also uses an Automated Surface Observing System there.
A white marble stone in the front yard remembers Abbott Lawrence Rotch. It shows a summary of weather data from 1885 to 1984. In 1989, the observatory was named a National Historic Landmark.
In 2021, a big renovation of the observatory began. It cost $2 million and was expected to finish by April 2023. Many parts of the building were upgraded. This included new concrete walls, ceilings, windows, and better weatherproofing. During the renovation, the observatory was closed to visitors. However, the gift shop moved outdoors and stayed open. The daily weather observations continued without interruption. When the renovation is complete, there will be new exhibits and programs for visitors.
How it Operates
Under Rotch's leadership, the Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory became famous. It was known for its new studies of the upper atmosphere. Rotch's work on cloud heights, directions, and speeds greatly helped our understanding of clouds in the early 1900s.
Rotch worked at the observatory until he died on April 7, 1912. In his will, he gave the observatory to Harvard University. He also left money to help pay for its operations. Harvard ran the observatory until 1971.
After 1912, the Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory kept operating. Weather observations and recordings have continued every day since then. This provides modern meteorologists with a unique and unbroken record of weather data.
Because these recordings come from the same place, they are very important for studying climate change. This information is especially valuable today. Many other weather records are affected by changes in the environment or how they are collected. The Blue Hill Observatory's consistent data helps scientists understand long-term climate patterns. For this reason, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration named it one of 26 International Benchmark stations in the United States.
In the 1950s, a research group at the observatory used radar. They scanned approaching thunderstorms as far away as western New York State. This was part of a study into what causes lightning. Their findings were very important for developing the US weather radar program.
Key Accomplishments
Since 1885, the observatory staff and others have written almost 900 scientific papers. These papers describe the scientific work done at Blue Hill. The observatory's first 100 years show a great history of helping meteorology grow. Measurements at the observatory have been taken daily since it opened in 1885. This makes it one of the oldest continuously active weather and climate monitoring stations in the United States.
See also
In Spanish: Observatorio meteorológico de Blue Hill para niños
- List of astronomical observatories
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Massachusetts
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Milton, Massachusetts
