If you enjoyed reading about J’s weather balloon, but were disappointed that there wasn’t actual video from the balloon’s camera, I have now uploaded two short clips from the apex of the flight and the landing.
First, the balloon (presumably) at or near its apex, looking serenely across the Central Valley to the northern California coast. Then the balloon pops and the payload begins its whirling descent under its parachute:
Then, as the payload still spins under the parachute, you can see the vast agricultural plains and the ONE BUILDING where the camera decided to land:
—2p