Station for Atmospheric Experiments (SAE)

 (aka The Farm or Atmospheric Farm), Woodbridge ON - 1985


Notes:

1.  Work was done at the Atmospheric Farm - before it was sold in 1986 and a new site acquired at Egbert ON

2.  Weather radar covering the Toronto area was originally located at The Farm.  Later, newer radars were set up at King City ON.

3.  Some photos below were originally published in May / June 1985 issue of Zephyr.

Link to article in May / June 1985 edition of Zephyr

The SAE·was once a real farm belonging to the Watson brothers and their family since 1870.  Acquired by the Weather Service in 1963, 1he original farmhouse is still standing.  "Trina" the cat an excellent mouser is seen in the foreground.  More on Trina below.



These large horns are an accoustic sounder system with the sound projected upwards and reflected back from clouds. The result is recorded and processed by a computer. The horns are used for environmental and pollution studies.
The 50 metre radar tower abandoned with an uncertain future. The small platform on the right held the original Woodbridge weather radar.


Peter Chirka runs a Climate Station on The Farm. He is seen here with a Nipher snow gauge that collects snow which is then melted and measured in a graduated tube.


There is also Trina a grey cat and a good mouser and several thousand. field mice. The latter are part of a five year research study conducted by the University of Toronto on small mammals to determine factors regulating the size of mouse populations.

The picture shows Peter Chirka with their breeding pens.


Still very active is this solar radiation suntracker operated here by technician David Barton of Experimental Studies Division.


Bavid Barton with (unknown instrument)




Devid Barton with (unknown instrument)
David Barton with (unknown instrument)

 

See also David Barton in the Zephyr "Mugs" series

David Barton and an (unknown instrument) ......
This truck is fully equipped to do atmospheric probing of aerosol structures in the boundary layer. Standing beside the vehicle is Frank Froude, electronics technician.

Return to Index