A tightrope walk for fresh air

The research station on the Jungfraujoch is being given a new air intake. Photo: Empa - At 3500 meters above sea level, research is sometimes quite adventurous. In order to be able to supply Empa's air analysis station on the Jungfraujoch with "clean" samples, a team of researchers and professional climbers installed a new air intake - 50 meters outside the station on a narrow ridge above the abyss. The research station on the Jungfraujoch is the highest in Europe. The air at this altitude is a veritable treasure trove of information on the development of pollutants and emissions across the continent. In order to be able to study this air, however, it must be drawn in from the atmosphere. Until now, this has been done on the roof of the building - the so-called Sphinx.