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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

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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
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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)
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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.)
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To: Pan_Yan

Static electricity.


4 posted on 07/31/2013 5:25:10 AM PDT by PilotDave (No, really, you just can't make this stuff up!!!)
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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)
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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!)
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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
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To: lula

It’s aliens, dude!

Sand particles! You empiricists are all the same...


8 posted on 07/31/2013 6:14:40 AM PDT by antidisestablishment (Mahound delenda est)
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To: knarf

That’s a Chinook.


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.)
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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?)
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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.")
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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)
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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.)
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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.)
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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)
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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.)
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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)
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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
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To: Graewoulf

“To see the REAL dancin’ lights, y’all come to Marfa, TEXAS!”

Pterodactyls?


19 posted on 07/31/2013 7:55:45 AM PDT by Dr. Bogus Pachysandra ( Ya can't pick up a turd by the clean end!)
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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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