The New York Times the other day printed a very interesting article about new research – butterflies were put into a wind tunnel so that the movements of wings could be studied. Evidently this had not been done successfully before. The key to the research is to introduce smoke into the tunnel so the movement of the smoke can be photographed as the butterfly wing beats make the smoke move. The resulting pattern creates a shadow that can be photographed.
By now you are asking “so what?” and I don’t blame you. The article said that getting the right kind of smoke had the scientists stumped until they tried – that’s right – the oil that makes model train locomotive smoke (and bless their hearts the NY Times did NOT refer to “toy” trains). Presumably someone on the research team has model trains.
Dave Nelson
Dave: the biggest surprise to me, is that PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), hasn’t raised a fuss over exposing the butterflies to such carcinogenic second-hand nastiness.
Compliments of the Season & best regards / Mike
Check with Gov Arnold - it’s gotta be illegal in Cal - I - forn - ea![:-^]
Ivan, look at the date on this thread…
David B
David - you’re right - Arnold was not the gov then [:-^]
I didn’t even remember posting this … ah to be 50 again ([sigh] ).
Dave Nelson