Aerial Photography
Materials
- model village
- stepladder
- camera
Assemble the model village in an area where the stepladder can be erected
safely. Climb the stepladder and photograph the village under various
light conditions (low light, medium light, bright light). Be sure to move
various "mobile" features, such as cars and people, between pictures.
Give the developed photographs to the class. They can work in groups or
individually, whichever is most convenient. See if the students
can identify specific features.
Of course, if you're up to something a bit more complicated:
Another method for obtaining high-altitude photographs is through model
rocketry.
Model rocketry is an excellent way to teach physics to any age level.
Students can learn about gravity, mass, and thrust, and perform mathematical
calculations and observations on the model rockets as they soar upward.
Some model rockets have been designed by manufacturers to carry specific
payloads. One such payload is a small camera, which snaps a photograph
at the rocket's apogee.
With multiple launchings, many photographs of the area surrounding the launch
site are possible. Once the photographs are developed, students can
assemble the pictures into a composite image of the area. This composite
image can be analyzed by the students.
The photographing, assembling, and analysis of a composite image would
put the students into the role played by the men and women who work
with the SR-71. It would also be a fun way to create an aerial map of
a local area.
Be sure to follow all safety procedures and guidelines when firing
a model rocket.
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Q: How fast is Mach 1?
A: Mach 1 is equivalent to the speed of sound. Depending on
the weather, Mach 1 can fall anywhere between
750 and 765 mph (air density can cause sound waves
to move faster or slower).
Q: Why was the SR-71 used as a "surrogate satellite" in NASA
experiments?
A: The Blackbird was used as a testbed to assist in the development
of technology to be used on future satellites. The high-altitude
flight capability of the SR-71 made it an excellent alternative
to an actual satellite. Even though the SR-71 is an expensive
aircraft to operate, it is much more cost-effective to use it than
to launch a satellite and risk equipment failure.
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The SR-71 is acknowledged as the fastest aircraft in the world.
It has been clocked at Mach 3.2, a speed of over 2,200 mph!
Even though the SR-71 has been retired from military service, two are
kept in operation for NASA research.
The SR-71 has been used in research to investigate the possible "repair"
of the ozone layer through the use of charged chlorine atoms.
The Blackbird is constructed of rather unusual materials in order to
withstand the high temperatures caused by Mach 3 flight.
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