Revealing Fluid Dynamics in Flight through Schlieren Photography
Despite the stunning scenes produced of aircraft in various stages of flight, many aspects of aviation in general and aerodynamics in particular often remain invisible to the naked eye. Airflow patterns, pressure distribution and shock waves, for example, all occur right in front of us as we sit in our window seats, yet all go unnoticed.
NASA, however, has shed some light on some of these phenomena through a powerful imaging technique known as schlieren photography. By capturing how light bends through various air densities, this method of photography reveals the intricate fluid dynamics that flow around wings and airframes.
In these stunning images, NASA has captured some of the most dramatic airflow and compression effects around Northrop T-38 Talon aircraft traveling at supersonic speeds. The first image shows a pair of T-38s racing past an airborne King Air turboprop photo ship traveling at subsonic speeds, while the second image features a lone T-38, as seen from the ground. In each photo, color has been added to better visualize the air and pressure effects created by supersonic flight.
Topics Related To: MODERN AVIATION
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