Fig.1. Theodolite owned by the Servicio de Meteorologia (FAV) that was
brought to San Fernando for double theodolite soundings. We did not have
time to use it.
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Fig.2. Sign at the Guasdualito synoptic surface station showing the
station's coordinates.
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Fig.3. Professor Rigoberto Andressen takes pictures of a training session in
Guasdualito.
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Fig.4. Weather radar in Guasdualito. Lack of communications prevents the
data from being used at the forecast office.
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Fig.5. Setting up the theodolite in San Fernando de Apure. In the picture,
from left, S/R Perez (FAV), Estatio Gutierrez (Universidad Central de
Venezuela), Professor Rigoberto Andressen (Universidad Centro-Occidental
Lizandro Alvarado), ST1 Lugo and ST3 Pena.
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Fig.6. The radiosonde system is shown in this picture. Javier Murillo is
checking email in the middle of a radiosonde observation.
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Fig.7. From left, Jorge Lopez, ST1 Arnaldo Lugo, MTS Lois Ramirez, MT2
Arcides Lugo and, to the far right, CAP Hermes Ojeda.
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Fig.8. Sunset in San Fernando de Apure. Smoke from nearby fires allowed
these pictures to be taken without special filters, but obscured the
balloons that sometimes were lost within the first 10 minutes.
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Fig.9. S/R Perez, an experienced observer, double check readings made by ST3
Diana Ontiveros and ST3 Karen Ramos in San Fernando.
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Fig.10. Same persons as in picture 9 plus Profr. Jorge Lopez, Mt2 Arcides
Lugo and MTS Lois Ramirez.
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Fig.11.This team of observers work permanently in San Fernando. From left,
Luis Pizarro, St3 Jose Pena, S/R Jose Perez , Jose Mota.
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Fig.12. Jose Mota, Luis Pizarro, Arcides Lugo, Lois Ramirez, and Jose Perez
are getting ready to launch a 100g balloon.
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Fig.13. St3 Pena and S/R Perez.
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Fig.14. Mt2 Arcides Lugo (he is in charge of the synoptic station and the
pilot balloon observations in San Fernando de Apure).
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Fig.15. Loading the FAV's C130 with equipment and hydrogen cylinders.
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Fig.16. Jose Mota and S/R Perez.
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Fig.17. Rosario Douglas and Javier Murillo tracking a pilot balloon in San
Fernando.
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Fig.18. St3 Pena, S/R Perez and MTS Lois Ramirez.
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Fig.19. Luis Pizarro is an experienced observer making pilot balloon
soundings since the station began in 2001.
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Fig.20. Loading the truck with equipment and personal suitcases. In the
picture from right Mike Douglas, Javier Murillo, St1 Arnaldo Lugo and a
FAV officer.
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Fig.21. Professor Rafael Rodriguez (at the theodolite), Professor Jorge
Lopez (far right) and two students from the Universidad
Centro-Occidental Lizandro Alvarado (UCLA).
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Fig.22. Professor Rafael Rodriguez (UCLA) and Professor Rigoberto Andressen
(Universidad de Los Andes).
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Fig.23. Parking lot activity at the Servicio de Meteorologia. Some people
run and others watch as the time to leave for the airport approaches.
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Fig.24. The truck is loaded and ready to leave to the Palo Negro Venezuelan
Air Force base.
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Fig.25. FAV personnel and UCLA students get ready for a pilot balloon
launching. Prof. Jorge Lopez holds the balloon while Estatio Gutierrez
(UCV) is watching from a distance.
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Fig.26. C130 aircraft that transported equipment and personnel to Coro and
Guasdualito. It did't make to the other stations due to an engine failure.
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Fig.27. Mike Douglas explains theodolite alignment using the sun's azimuth
method.
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Fig.28. Synoptic surface station.
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Fig.29. Inflating a 100g balloon in San Fernando de Apure: St1 Arnaldo
Lugo, Javier Murillo, Mt2 Arcides Lugo, Mike Douglas and Cap. Ojeda.
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Fig.30. Javier Murillo and Mt2 Dad Akel preparing a radiosonde and setting
up the radiosonde system.
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Fig.31. MTS Lois Ramirez, Mt2 Arcides Lugo and CAP Hermes Ojeda getting
ready for 100g balloon and radiosonde launching.
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Fig.32. Javier Murillo is about to release the sonde and St1 Arnaldo Lugo
watches.
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Fig.33. 100g balloon has been inflated and all it needs now is a good knot.
From left, St2 Lugo, Mike Douglas, Javier Murillo and Jorge Lopez.
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Fig.34. Mike Douglas is interviewed by a local TV station staff.
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Fig.35. St3 Karen Ramos and St3 Jose Pena digitizing pilot balloon data.
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Fig.36. San Fernando de Apure station.
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Fig.37. Mt2 Dad Akel and Javier Murillo take readings of air temperature and
relative humidity at launching time.
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Fig.38. Dad Akel presents the cake for the celebration of the World
Meteorological Day on March 23.
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Fig.39. Jose Mota operating the theodolite.
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Fig.40. Mt2 Arcides Lugo speaking to the media.
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Fig.41. Pilot balloon trancking in San Fernando: Luis Pizarro (at the
theodolite), S/R Jose Perez, Jose Mota, MTS Lois Ramirez and St2 Dad Akel.
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Fig.42. Jose Mota and St3 Jose Pena. A third person is only partially visible.
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Fig.43. St3 Jose Pena and S/R Jose Perez.
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Fig.44. World Meteorological Day Celebration in San Fernando de Apure.
Javier Murillo, MTS Lois Ramirez, Luis Pizarro, Mt2 Dad Akel and Mt2
Arcides Lugo.
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Fig.45. Javier Murillo, Mike Douglas and S/R Perez tracking the balloon.
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