I know we haven't added to this thread in nearly one month, but it took me that long to design a protocol for scientifically testing cloud busting "in the lab" (so to speak), actually outdoors.
Here is the setup that I am thinking of:
Identify what metorlogical conditions will make success easier for the test subject (i.e. type of clouds, cloud floor/ceiling, etc.) Watch the long term weather forcast when the required weather conditions will likely develop. The actual test will cover a 3 consecutive day window. Identify a suitable outdoor location with visual access to a large part of the sky. The test subject will pick the actual time of the test during the agreed upon 3-day window during daylight hours (to ensure the cameras work properly). The test subject alerts the testing supervisor 60 (or maybe 90) minutes before the test is to begin.
I am not sure what actual hardware is required, but here is what the hardware must do. One camera with a wide angle lense is set up a region of interest in the sky. The test subject picks the region of interest in the sky. The camera must have at least 90 min. of recording capability and the ability to switch tapes/memory twice during the test. The camera must also have a simeotaneous video output. That ouput goes to another recording device, say a laptop computer that has the ability for the test subject to mark objects in the sky on that 2nd recording (a telestrator). This second recording device must be able to record for 90 minutes. A third camera is set up to record the actions of the test at the 2nd recording device (laptop?).
The test is set up into 3 x 30 minute test periods that are consecutive. The test supervisor actually has to leave the area during the duration of the 90 minute test and should be told not to watch the sky or think about the test. Having someone in the area, especially a skeptic makes it less likely that the cloud busting will work. The reason for the third camera is prevent accusations of fraud by the test subject. An audible timer is setup to divide the test into the 3 periods. During the transition from the first period to the second period, the test subject changes the tape in the first camera. Also the test subject changes the tape during the transition from the second to the third time period (in the first camera).
The 3 time periods work as follows: The test subject takes no action during the first 90 min period and does not look at the sky. During the second time period, he/she attempts to bust as many clouds as possible. Before busting a cloud, he/she marks the cloud with telestrator on the second camera/laptop. During the third time period, the test subject again takes no action. Realize during the analysis of the third time period, that clouds may continue to disappear (a sort of momentum) or may start to reappear and be more dense-looking than before (a sort of reverse momentum).
Anaylsis of the tapes: The 3 tapes from the first camera are randomly distributed to 3 separate people for analysis (perhaps metorologists). They each pick 10 cloud features and track these features for the length of the tape, then without seeing the other tapes, try to determine if they have the 30 minutes of "active cloud busting" (the second 30 minutes). The reason 3 people are used is that the tapes are consecutive in time and it would be easy for someone viewing all 3 tapes to determine 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The lead researcher would analyze the 2nd tape/computer recording with the telestrator markings. The 3rd camera is used to verify that there was not fraud.
Repeat the test 10 times. 5 times with people who claim to be able to bust clouds. 5 times with voluteers with no training.
Coyote
