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A weather vane is an instrument used to determine wind direction and is often used in weather forecasting, aviation, and sailing. They come in various designs and are made of light metals for durability and precision. The earliest recorded weather vane dates back to around 50 BC in Athens, Greece. The largest weather vane in the world is disputed, but notable ones include a sherry advertisement in Jerez, Spain, and a real DC-3 aircraft in a transportation museum in Canada.
A weather vane, also known as a weather vane, is an instrument used to determine the direction from which the wind is blowing. These tools have been in use for centuries, dating back to around 50 BC. They come in many designs, from sleek and professional to fun ornate, but usually follow similar streamlined design rules. There are a number of giant wind turbines and there is a dispute over the largest one in the world.
it is used
The current wind direction, combined with knowledge of a region’s geography, can often give a good indication of how the weather might change over the next day or two. For this reason, a weather vane is often used in weather forecasting. If the wind is blowing off a warm ocean, for example, you can expect mild, cloudy, humid conditions. Weather vanes in weather stations record wind direction electronically, to provide permanent records. They are used in conjunction with anemometers, which measure wind speed.
Wind vanes are also used at airports, as wind direction is an important factor for arriving and departing aircraft. Another use is in sailing: a type of automatic steering system uses a windvane attached to a rudder to keep the boat or yacht on course.
Design and construction
The modern version is usually constructed of light metals to provide responsiveness to light winds, durability in a variety of weather conditions, and also because of the metal’s ability to be precision forged. This precision is important to paddle developers because the weight of the device must be evenly distributed for it to function properly. The simplest design features an arrow on a rotating axis with compass points labeled below. The design of the arrow is crucial to the success of the weather vane, because it has a large end and a smaller pointed end so that it points in the direction from which the wind is blowing.
Using this basic configuration, many more elaborate shapes can be built, in the shape of animals, ships and people, for example. Such designs may not give a very accurate indication of wind direction if there is only a light breeze, however, and tend to be ornamental rather than functional. A simple weather vane can easily be constructed from everyday materials, making it a popular school science project.
Positioning
To give accurate wind indications, vanes need to be high off the ground. Close to the ground, obstacles such as buildings and trees cause the wind to deflect or swirl, so that the correct wind direction cannot be determined. The blades are usually placed on top of tall buildings or on purpose-built structures, where no taller objects nearby can interfere with the air movement.
History
The earliest recorded weather vane is thought to be a large bronze statue of the god Triton placed atop the Tower of the Winds in Athens, Greece. It was able to rotate and indicated the direction of the wind. Below were representations of the gods associated with the eight wind directions, along with sundials and a water clock. It is thought to date from around 50 BC.
In Christian countries, there is a long-standing tradition of installing weather vanes above church towers. Generally, they incorporated a rooster, or rooster, into the design. The practice is thought to date back to the 9th century, when animals appear to have become a Christian symbol, following papal pronouncements. Later many other designs began to appear, often very elaborate, some of them highly sought after as antiques.
Modern weather vanes are often of much simpler design and strictly functional to maximize their sensitivity and accuracy of readings. Furthermore, they do without turn signals, as the data is automatically recorded by the computer. Decorative ones are still available, however, for people who simply like the way they look.
Notable wind vanes
The Guinness Book of Records has recognized a weather vane advertising a brand of sherry in Jerez, Spain as the largest in the world. This is disputed, however, and there are a number of other candidates for the record. Perhaps the most notable is in a transportation museum near Whitehorse International Airport in the Yukon, Canada. It consists of a real DC-3 aircraft mounted on a rotating column. Despite its size and weight, it will respond to a wind of just 5 knots (5.75 mph or 9.26 km/h).
