Vaisala is currently co-sponsoring an exhibition that introduces the contemporary state of scientific research. The exhibition presents open questions in science, that are currently being examined intensly. The exhibition "Open Questions" is held at the Finnish Science Center "Heureka" at Vantaa, Finland.There has been a lively interest in the exhibition which consists of some thirty exhibits, including Nobel Prize winning scientists' equipment. Vaisaladonated a substantial amount for realization of a stand that illustrates the factors affecting the changing climate.

Fig 1.Finnish Science Center "Heureka"

The exhibition is divided in three main parts: The Universe, life and thought.The exhibition presents the open questions in science in a very concrete and interactive way, letting the visitor explore issues through software and touchable exhibits. The journey through modern science includes a space vessel that takes you through an eight-minute journey through a black hole, artificial babies that you can teach to speak and a display of proteins.

Project Manager Kaisa Vähähyyppä of the Finnish Science Center "Heureka" tells that it took three years to produce thisexceptional exhibition: two years of planning and one for producing the actual displays. During these stages a wide group of scientists and researchers were consulted to ensure accuracy of all facts.Vaisala was contacted because "Vaisala is a very well-known high-tech company and this exhibition illustrates new fields of research" , says Kaisa Vähähyyppä.

The stand that was sponsored by Vaisala illustrates the factors that affect the temperature of a climate. The expert knowledge for the exhibit was provided by the Finnish Meteorological Institute. With the help of climate forecasts visitors can explore the weather of the future. The exhibit consists of a Vaisala radiosonde, with a description, andtouch-screen software. The first user-step is to choose a development scenario (issues affecting the scenario are population, economy, technology, energy and agriculture). The next step consist of choosing a prediction model. As a result a map, that shows year-by-year future change in climate, will be displayed.

When predicting what the climate will be like in ten or 100 years, one must take into consideration e.g. the effect that the change in emissions will have on the composition of the atmosphere. Calculating the joint effect of different factors results in varying predictions depending on which model is used. Our climate is getting warmer but the question is- at what pace?