Picture me this: A cadre of farmers on the outskirts of Beijing gather in the Fragrant Hills and gaze at the sky. They do not pray to Buddha, nor do they perform a rain dance. Instead, they grab rocket launchers and a 37-millimeter anti-aircraft gun and begin shooting into the sky.
WTF?
No, this is not an episode of 24 or the sequel to Red Dawn, this is weather control, baby.
After watching the mercury soar, hardening the already cracked soil of their dying orchards and farms, the farmers launch not bullets or missiles, but chemical pellets designed to "seed" the clouds with silver-iodide particles around which moisture can then collect and become heavy enough to fall.
Yes, these he farmers are part of China's growing Weather Modification Program. Each of China's more than 30 provinces and province-level municipalities have a weather-modification base, employing more than 32,000 people, 7,100 anti-aircraft guns, 4,991 special rocket launchers and 30-odd aircraft across the country.
Turns out Chinese scientists have been researching man-made rain as far back as 1958, using chemicals such as silver iodide or dry ice to facilitate condensation in moisture-laden clouds, ease drought and improve harvests for Chinese farmers. In fact, they’ve even been given a challenge: to create clear skies for the Summer Olympic Games next year.
I would also like them to make the sun shine through my window every time I please a woman sexually. Is that too much too ask?
Atimes.com: Ready, aim, fire and rain
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