Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2001 23:36:19 -0600
From: Peter Havey <ahavey@mail.smu.edu>
To: olness@mail.physics.smu.edu
Subject: video

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Professor Olness:

I came across an interesting video I thought you might like, if you haven't
already seen it. It's footage shot from an aircraft carrier as an F-14 flies
by, breaking the sound barrier. It displays a pretty clear example of what
we talked about in class, especially with regards to the shockwave created
behind the object. It's in a shared folder on my computer, you can download
it at http://zedebsky.dyndns.org/F14_Sound_Barrier.mpg. Take care and I'll
see you next class session.

"Every so often, just the right combination of conditions and events occur
to create an unbelievable event-in this case an F-18 passing through the
sound barrier. Not only were the water vapor, density and temperature just
right, but there just happened to be a camera in the vicinity to capture the
moment. The F-18 is actually in transonic flight, with normal shock waves
emanating from behind the canopy and across the wings and fuselage. The
condition will last for only an instant, and once supersonic flow exists
completely around the aircraft, sharp-angled sonic cones replace the normal
shock waves. The odds of getting a shot like this are staggering."

Peter Havey
ahavey@mail.smu.edu
zedebsky.dyndns.org
Fax: 253-399-7190