U2 Pilot Posts In-Flight Photos of Aurora Borealis | FerrariChat

U2 Pilot Posts In-Flight Photos of Aurora Borealis

Discussion in 'Aviation Chat' started by Jacob Potts, Mar 30, 2018.

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  1. Jacob Potts

    Jacob Potts Formula Junior

    Dec 11, 2008
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    Island Time and Bisonte like this.
  2. Bisonte

    Bisonte F1 Veteran
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    Very cool. Someone should show these to the flat earth rocketman. :)
     
  3. Jacob Potts

    Jacob Potts Formula Junior

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    Actually, most likely, he would consider photos taken by others that appear to show a curved Earth to be fake. It is to his great credit that he is taking the scientific approach. He is launching himself up high to gather data to support or oppose his thesis.
     
  4. PureEuroM3

    PureEuroM3 F1 Veteran
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    What great images!
     
  5. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    I did not think the lights extended that far down into the atmosphere. Amazing shots.
     
  6. jcurry

    jcurry Two Time F1 World Champ
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    He looks to be well below them in the pics

    Agree. Always a different perspective from the air. Even low level fireworks, which I guess you've seen a few ;) although not the kind I'm referring to.
     
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  7. Tcar

    Tcar F1 Rookie

    Done.
    He did it last week... survived, went to about 1850 ft. He did it before, in the early 2000's also.
    https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/wj7db9/flat-earth-rocket-mad-mike-hughes
     
  8. Bisonte

    Bisonte F1 Veteran
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    Right, but I can drive to a park 20 minutes from here which has an overlook that's nearly that high (~1700 ft.) and sit there all day. No rocket required. :)

    I'll give him props for following through, though!
     
  9. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    My house is at 5419'. Hard to see the curvature of the earth from here. Have seen it several times at 49,500', though.
     
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  10. Bob Parks

    Bob Parks F1 Veteran
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    I wonder if he has ever thought why he falls to earth after his excursions into "space".
     
  11. Jacob Potts

    Jacob Potts Formula Junior

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    No worries on that account, Bob! Both flat-earthers and round-earthers agree that gravity pulls you back down to earth! ;)
     
  12. Jacob Potts

    Jacob Potts Formula Junior

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    Yes, he is adventurous, and rigorous in his scientific approach!

    Round earthers and flat earthers have been looking off high mountains and promontories for a long time and they still argue about their theories! :)

    I am sure that his first flight does not satisfy him. He will make more, until he can get high enough to prove or disprove his theorem. This is great. This is real science.
     
  13. Tcar

    Tcar F1 Rookie

    This was his second rocket ride (see post #7 above)... he made it to 1300+ feet the first time.
    Click on the link there.
     
  14. Spasso

    Spasso F1 World Champ

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    but unfortunately for Hughes his stunt contributes little to the flat earth ‘debate.’ To see the curvature of the Earth you need to reach an altitude of at least 35,000 feet, but this still requires a wide field of view.
     
  15. Jacob Potts

    Jacob Potts Formula Junior

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    That's good to know, thanks!

    I am glad Mr. Hughes is doing this: at least he is following the scientific method. I really do hope he gets high enough to get enough data to confirm or deny his thesis.

    It seems he is drawing from just his personal resources. This effort of his is worthy of public support, I wish he could get it.

    The debate about the shape of the Earth is ongoing and a lot larger than we knew: a recent survey has uncovered that one third of all millenials believe the Earth to be flat. http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2018/04/05/millennials-flat-earth-survey/
     
  16. Bob Parks

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    The ancient mariners knew that there was a curvature in the earth when using their ship's glass (telescopes). They could see only the tops of the masts and sails of sailing vessels 15 miles or so in the distance. In fact, they had certain sail settings in the top mast to signal to other ships that they were on fire. A drop of a liquid in zero gravity turns into a sphere, like anything else with gravity. Where is the edge of this plate? When the sun sets what does it do, run along under the plate until it gets to the other edge in China? This argument is too stupid to waste time on.
     
  17. BMWairhead

    BMWairhead Formula 3

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    A nit-pick from a ‘science guy’...scientists utilize peer data. The Flat-Earth Guy will not recognize decades of sound, scientific research that has been thoroughly peer-reviewed. He’s proceeding as a skeptic that doesn’t really understand much about science.

    The aurora is beautiful science...that I can appreciate. Oh...planes, too. Flat Guy...not so much.
     
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  18. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    If he wants to waste his money, fine. Just as long as he does not use any of folk's money when they know Earth is roughly spherical.
     
  19. u2driver

    u2driver Rookie

    Jan 22, 2018
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    Sorry. Have been off the forums for a bit! He was on a routine mission we fly from Beale to move a jet to another place we go regularly. He knew the conditions and time of year were right to possibly get some great photos of the aurora so he loaded up all his camera equipment to hopefully capture what he saw. They turned out great! He also posted up his photos on the Facebook group he runs of the eclipse last year taken from the jet.
     
  20. Jacob Potts

    Jacob Potts Formula Junior

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    It is not a problem! We know Our Uncle: he can be erratic and has his own priorities!
    Thanks ever so much for the details!
     

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