Screw the ground spike into the bottom of
the cube and place in an open area outside.
Make sure the spike is inserted fi rmly into the
ground.
14
3.1 Cube 1 – The Wind Gauge
(Anemometer) and Wind Vane
This cube measures the wind speed in both
miles per hour (mph) and kilometres per hour
(kph).
To assemble your wind gauge (anemome-
ter), place the small end of the three spoon-
shaped wind cups into position, as they will
only fi t in one direction and will slip easily into
place. Please see the image on page 1 for
reference.
Wind and temperature are very closely rela-
ted. The process of air being warmed and
circulated is called convection and is one of
the major processes creating our weather.
Convection is the main cause of cloud for-
mation and circulation, warm moist air goes
upwards and gets colder, dry and dense air
sinks downwards.
Some places get hotter, quicker than others.
For example, cities heat up more quickly than
open countryside. These processes create
changing convection patterns, which causes
different air motion, or wind.
The same thing happens at our planet's po-
les, on a much bigger scale, with the North
and South poles not absorbing much of the
sun's heat, whilst on the equator, the land
absorbs more heat. The hot air rises and the
cooler polar air rushes in to replace it.
All these factors add up to generate winds.
When your anemometer is set up outside, the
wind will make the three cups spin. The need-
le will indicate the wind speed and the wind
will point in the direction from where the wind
is blowing.
3.2 Cube 2 – The Thermometer
A thermometer measures the temperature of
the air. There are two different measures for
temperature. In the United States, the Fah-
renheit scale is used. ° is the symbol used
to show degrees. On the Fahrenheit scale,
water freezes at 32° and the boiling point of
water is 212°. Fahrenheit temperatures are
indicated by a F after the number of degrees.
The rest of the world uses the Celsius sca-
le. On this scale, water freezes at 0° and the
boiling point of water is 100°. Celsius tempe-
ratures are indicated by a C after the number
of degrees.
3.3 Cube 3 – The Precipitation Gauge
Cube 3 is used to measure precipitation,
which is the scientifi c term for rain or snow.
This is moisture that comes from the sky.