The current (July,'99) Sc. Am. Amateur Scientist column describes a novel
instrument for measuring the electrostatic field in the atmosphere. You can
also get to the article at www.sciam.com.
I am concerned that the configuration of metal used in the construction of
the instrument will significantly disturb the field to be measured (a
difficulty common to all such atmospheric E measurement techniques). Any
comments? It would make a good construction project for students/faculty.