thefatlady
Well-known member
I have been asked to help test a new invention which could be of help to all sailors, glider pilots, parachutists, even golfers – every sport where wind speed and direction are important.
About 20 sailors are needed, who will wear special goggles and report on their effects. Tests will take place in the Solent on a day to be decided. The session is expected to end with racing where half of the sailors will wear the goggles and the control half will sail without, switching each race to balance out the effect of individuals.
The designers’ name is secret at the moment, but they have provided the following information about the way the goggles work:
SEEING THE WIND
Air is not invisible, just extremely pale. It is a tangible fluid composed of loosely packed molecules of various gases. At any reasonable level of humidity, air carries large amounts of water vapour, which is called mist or fog when visible to the naked eye. Distortions of light due to the changing refractive indices of airborne water particles are visible through a polarised lens.
Wind is air movement due to pressure and temperature variations. Gusts are pockets of denser air swirling round ground-level obstacles, often caused by cooling as the sun is obscured by cloud. Changes in air speeds and densities cause temperature fluctuations which can be seen through an infra-red lens.
The goggles have a different lens for each eye, one infra-red and the other polarised and tinted green. This gives an overlay effect which enables the wearer to see air currents and wind patterns as a faint haze of red and green bands and patches. With practice, one can literally see gusts and shifts approaching and even study the airflow over the sail.
If you would like to be considered for the forthcoming trials, please email your name, email address and boat model to makingaspectacleofmyself@gullible.nit
About 20 sailors are needed, who will wear special goggles and report on their effects. Tests will take place in the Solent on a day to be decided. The session is expected to end with racing where half of the sailors will wear the goggles and the control half will sail without, switching each race to balance out the effect of individuals.
The designers’ name is secret at the moment, but they have provided the following information about the way the goggles work:
SEEING THE WIND
Air is not invisible, just extremely pale. It is a tangible fluid composed of loosely packed molecules of various gases. At any reasonable level of humidity, air carries large amounts of water vapour, which is called mist or fog when visible to the naked eye. Distortions of light due to the changing refractive indices of airborne water particles are visible through a polarised lens.
Wind is air movement due to pressure and temperature variations. Gusts are pockets of denser air swirling round ground-level obstacles, often caused by cooling as the sun is obscured by cloud. Changes in air speeds and densities cause temperature fluctuations which can be seen through an infra-red lens.
The goggles have a different lens for each eye, one infra-red and the other polarised and tinted green. This gives an overlay effect which enables the wearer to see air currents and wind patterns as a faint haze of red and green bands and patches. With practice, one can literally see gusts and shifts approaching and even study the airflow over the sail.
If you would like to be considered for the forthcoming trials, please email your name, email address and boat model to makingaspectacleofmyself@gullible.nit
