Balloons are used to carry weather instruments into the atmosphere. Some balloons are special. They can reach high into the atmosphere without bursting. These balloons are used to collect small meteorites (MEET-ee-uh-ryts). They also are used to study the stars and planets. Information from these balloons has helped scientists working in space programs. Some balloons carry a shoebox-sized package of weather instruments called a radiosonde (RAY-dee-oh-sahnd). Radios ondes gather information about conditions in the upper atmosphere. The balloons carry the radiosondes into the air. When the balloon bursts, the radiosondes are carried back to the earth by a parachute. Information sent back by the radiosondes is used by airport personnel, weather forecasters, and weather services.