Students get once-in-a-lifetime research opportunity

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Six University of Canterbury students are taking part in what has been called a once-in-a-lifetime research opportunity.

Geography, physics and engineering students will work alongside American and German scientists releasing weather balloons off Hokitika.

At the same time, they will be assisting an advanced US research jet flying high above, measuring the atmospheric effect of the Southern Alps.

Professor Andy Sturman said the first two students will start today.

"So they'll be operating whenever they're needed to release the balloons alongside the scientists in Hokitika."

Mr Sturman said they were ready to release balloons, any time of the day or night.