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Mysterious Dancing Lights In Afghanistan
NPR ^
| July 30, 2013 1:28 PM
| Robert Krulwich
Posted on 07/31/2013 5:19:23 AM PDT by Pan_Yan
This isn't a painting. It's not from a movie. It's not a strange astronomical event. This is real — what you can see when certain helicopters in Afghanistan touch down on sandy ground, raising dust, causing mysterious arcs of light to loop and dance through the air.
This doesn't always happen. "The halos usually disappear as the rotors change pitch," wrote war photographer Michael Yon. "On some nights, on this very same landing zone, no halos form." How come?
(Excerpt) Read more at npr.org ...
TOPICS: Arts/Photography; Military/Veterans; Science
KEYWORDS: afghanistan; helicopters; photography
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It's worth it to go to the website and see all the photos.
1
posted on
07/31/2013 5:19:23 AM PDT
by
Pan_Yan
To: Pan_Yan
Just some bored Warrant Officers playing with sparklers attached to the rotors of their Hueys ... nothing to see here ... move along ...
2
posted on
07/31/2013 5:22:35 AM PDT
by
knarf
(I say things that are true ... I have no proof ... but they're true)
To: Pan_Yan
Looks like St. Elmo’s Fire on the rotor tips. I have seen it many times on turboprop aircraft.
3
posted on
07/31/2013 5:24:23 AM PDT
by
ArrogantBustard
(Western Civilization is Aborting, Buggering, and Contracepting itself out of existence.)
To: Pan_Yan
4
posted on
07/31/2013 5:25:10 AM PDT
by
PilotDave
(No, really, you just can't make this stuff up!!!)
To: Pan_Yan
On the CH-53D we had formation lights near the tips of the rotor blades. They made night formation flying a little less “hairy”.
Or, this may be static dissipation.
Anyone know if the Chinook has static wicks? On the fuselage or blades?
5
posted on
07/31/2013 5:26:48 AM PDT
by
BwanaNdege
("To learn who rules over you simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize"- Voltaire)
To: PilotDave
Likely from the sand particles rubbing against the blades.
But then I'm no expert....I did stay at the Holiday Inn. (couldn't resist)
6
posted on
07/31/2013 5:35:13 AM PDT
by
lula
(Shine the light of truth Lord, confound the deceiver I pray...AMEN!)
To: Pan_Yan
a guy on FOX yesterday explained it as fine sand particles engaging the metal edge of the rotors
7
posted on
07/31/2013 5:40:18 AM PDT
by
Archytekt
To: lula
It’s aliens, dude!
Sand particles! You empiricists are all the same...
To: knarf
9
posted on
07/31/2013 6:23:28 AM PDT
by
Conspiracy Guy
(To stay calm during these tumultuous times, I take Damitol. Ask your Doctor if it's right for you.)
To: Pan_Yan
Obviously static electrical discharge.
10
posted on
07/31/2013 6:24:08 AM PDT
by
Bloody Sam Roberts
(So Obama "inherited" a mess? Firemen "inherit" messes too. Ever see one put gasoline on it?)
To: knarf
We used to tape chem lights to the blade tips on Hueys & OH-58s. Actually helped to maintain separation during night ops.
Kinda like those battery powered “hubba hubba” lights kids used to put on bicycle wheels.
11
posted on
07/31/2013 6:31:16 AM PDT
by
elcid1970
("The Second Amendment is more important than Islam.")
To: Pan_Yan
If anyone has a sandblasting cabinet handy, with glass bead in it, like I do. Put a piece of titanium in it, and blast it with the cabinet light off.
12
posted on
07/31/2013 6:32:41 AM PDT
by
ZX12R
(Never forget the heroes of Benghazi, who were abandoned to their deaths by Obama)
To: Pan_Yan; Texas Fossil; All
To see the REAL dancin’ lights, y’all come to Marfa, TEXAS!
Hear?
13
posted on
07/31/2013 6:50:18 AM PDT
by
Graewoulf
(Traitor John Roberts' Commune-Style Obama'care' violates U.S. Constitution AND Anti-Trust Law.)
To: ZX12R
I do have a sandblasting cabinet but it’s just not as cool as a helicopter.
14
posted on
07/31/2013 6:54:07 AM PDT
by
Pan_Yan
(I believe in God. All else is dubious.)
To: Conspiracy Guy
See?
You guys know ALL that stuff.
15
posted on
07/31/2013 6:57:00 AM PDT
by
knarf
(I say things that are true ... I have no proof ... but they're true)
To: Pan_Yan
It looks even better when you’re wearing night vision googles. FOX left the impression yesterday that this only occurs in Afghanistan. The first time I saw this was in the dust of Texas. I thought the Blackhawk refueling next to me was on fire.
16
posted on
07/31/2013 7:18:14 AM PDT
by
FlingWingFlyer
(Let's make it our turn in 2014. Vote early and VOTE OFTEN.)
To: Pan_Yan
17
posted on
07/31/2013 7:32:30 AM PDT
by
JRios1968
(I'm guttery and trashy, with a hint of lemon. - Laz)
To: Graewoulf
I have been to Marfa and saw the dancing lights! I didn't expect to see anything at all but the lights were fantastic!
18
posted on
07/31/2013 7:35:50 AM PDT
by
Ditter
To: Graewoulf
“To see the REAL dancin’ lights, y’all come to Marfa, TEXAS!”
Pterodactyls?
To: Pan_Yan
I do have a sandblasting cabinet but it’s just not as cool as a helicopter.
touché
20
posted on
07/31/2013 7:57:12 AM PDT
by
ZX12R
(Never forget the heroes of Benghazi, who were abandoned to their deaths by Obama)
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