Sound PostCard 4-7-21

Sound Postcard

Posted: April 7, 2021

Typically E-News presents quiet sounds in nature for a moment of audio relaxation. This month, we’re feeling a little rowdy, and bring you a closer look at a fascinating, but loud, sound. This dramatic photo was captured at the moment a Navy F18 Hornet breaks the sound barrier. The unique visual display is believed to be the result of quick condensation of moisture in the air, but you guessed the acoustic result, a "sonic boom."

CLICK HERE to access audio and video files of supersonic flight and other fun and informative resources.

Photo credit: Navy Ensign John Gay, USS Constellation; nasa.gov

References:

Supersonic Flight and Sonic Booms. Glenn Pew, AVweb Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWGLAAYdbbc
NASA Sonic Boom Data: https://data.nasa.gov/docs/aeronautics/lowboom.html
NASA Armstrong Fact Sheet: Sonic Booms http://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/news/FactSheets/FS-016-DFRC.html
History of research in supersonic flight and breaking the sound barrier. JD Anderson, Jr., NASA History Project /http://history.nasa.gov/SP-4219/Chapter3.html
NASA Education Series (intended for audiences Grades 5-8): What Is Supersonic Flight? http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/features/what-is-supersonic-flight-58.html#.VVZk3nnbI5t
Leatherwood et al. (2002) Summary of recent NASA studies of human response to sonic booms, J Acoust Soc Am, 111(1 Pt 2):586-98. doi: 10.1121/1.1371767.

Sound Postcard

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