Hurricane Research Division

The Hurricane Research Division is a part of the AtlanticOceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) on Virginia Key, FL. AOML is a part of the Oceanic and Atmospherc Research office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States Government's Department of Commerce. The Division began fifty years ago as the National Hurricane Research Project and has, under various names, continued to conduct scientific research into hurricanes and related tropical weather phenomena, using theoretical studies, computer models, and an annual field program employing NOAA hurricane research aircraft. This research has resulted in a deeper, scientific understanding and in numerous practical applications which have improved forecasts. HRD employs meteorolgists, computer scientists, and other professionals, who collaborate with other governmental and academic scientists worldwide in this on going effort to advanced scientific knowledge and increase public safety. HRD's Mission Statement

THE CYCLONE.....

	In the period since it first opened on June 26, 1927, the Cyclone has emerged as the outdoor amusement industry's most famous, most influential, and most copied individual ride. Brothers Jack and Irving Rosenthal commissioned Vernan Keenan to design, and Harry C. Baker to construct, a monumental wooden-tracked twiste, which was forced to be exceptionally tight and steep because of the small ground space that was available to them. Construction then began on a site historically significant in the world of roller coasters -- the Cyclone occupies the space which contained the world's very first roller coaster , LaMarcus A. Thompson's Switchback Railway, as well as the world's first successful looping roller coaster, Loop The Loop. With power supplied by the Eisenberg Brothers of Brooklyn, signs from Menheimer and Weiss of New York City, steel fro the National Bridge Company, also of New York City , and lumber from Cross, Austin & Ireland, located in Long Island City, the Cyclone quickly became Coney Island's number one attraction, a status it maintains to this day. When the Rosenthal Brothers left Coney Island o operate their newest property, Palisade Amusement Park, they turned over the operation of the Cyclone to Chris Feuchts, who lovingly maintained and ran the ride for decades. Eventually, ownership of Cyclone was acquired by the City of New York, and it was operated by the City's Parks Department. On June 18, 1975, Dewey and Jerome Albert, owners of Astroland Park, received authorization to operate the Cyclone under a leasing agreement with New York City. The Alberts had teams of carpenters and iron workers completely rehabilitate the ride, which reopened to great fanfare on July 1st of that year. Since that time, Astroland Park has invested millions of dollars in the upkeep of the Cyclone -- today, it probably runs better than it did on the day it opened, and has the highest safety standards in the outdoor amusement industry. The Cyclone has consistently ranked at or near the top of every roller coaster top ten list published. It has been proclaimed the world's greatest by a broad spectrum of media institutions and roller coaster aficionados. Time Magazine quoted Charles Lindbergh as saying that a ride on the Cyclone was more thrilling than his historic first solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Emilio Franco, a mute since birth, regained his voice on the Cyclone, uttering his first words ever -- "I feel sick"! In April 2001, singer Nikki Lauren became the first person ever to present a live musical performance in the Cyclone's historic loading station. An official New York City Landmark since July 12, 1988 , Cyclone was listed in the New York State Register of Historic Places on June 31, 1991. National Historic Landmark status followed, on June 26, 1991. On April 1 4, 1992, Brooklyn Borough President Howard Golden issued a citation to Jerome Albert and the late Dewey Albert for their ope ration of both Astroland and the Cyclone, saluting them for being the primary energizing force in the regeneration of the Coney Island Amusement District. The Cyclone, now faster than ever, is the heart and soul of Coney Island, birthplace of the American amusement industry, and going strong for over 150 years!
	Click here to see a chart of the Cyclone's elevation, or Look in the Photo Album to see more great Pictures of the Cyclone!!!

'Hackers' to share secret for iPhone free of AT&T

49 minutes ago

NEW YORK (AFP) — A group of hackers said they will soon sell software allowing Apple's iPhone to be used with any cellphone carrier, skirting AT&T's exclusive deal in the United States.

The consumer frenzy over Apple's sensational phone was, for some, dampened by the fact that AT&T was the device's only service provider in the country.

But a group of anonymous hackers promised on a website, iPhoneSIMfree.com, that they would sell software that can opens the iPhone to other carriers in the next few days. They did not indicate a price.

On the weekend, they presented their program to an expert working for CNN television, who announced the iPhone was freed from AT&T's monopoly in "two minutes."

"A core group of six people on three continents worked to unlock the iPhone as a hobby," according to the group.

They said they are fans of Apple products who thought the iPhone should be made accessible to people who cannot use AT&T.

Their website also brags that the 500 to 600-dollar device -- which works as a cellphone, music and video player, and web browser -- can be tweaked without prying it open or soldering.

Hackers around the world have set about unlocking iPhone codes since it was launched in the United States this year.

Last week a 17-year-old unblocked an iPhone, but did so by opening the unit. The new method apparently takes advantage of the iPhone's ability to connect to iTunes and receive downloads and updates from Apple.

Last week, Lithuanian hackers launched a website offering to allow customers to unlock the iPhone AT&T for about 990 litas (390 dollars).