Known by many names — including the Witch’s Broom Nebula — NGC 6960 is part of a supernova remnant visible in the constellation Cygnus. The wisp-like filaments of the nebula are shock waves moving through the cloud of dust and ionized gas. Based on observations using the Hubble Space Telescope, the nebula is expanding at around 1.5 million kilometers per hour. When the original supernova exploded thousands of years ago, astrophysicists estimate it would have been bright enough to see during daytime! (Image credit: K. Crawford)
Category: Art
As Above, So Below
I love a good crossover between fluid dynamics and something unexpected. Fiber artist Megan Zaniewski uses thread-painting techniques to embroider ducks, frogs, otters, and other animals as they appear both above and below water. I am blown away by how she captures the movement and turbulence of water in these pieces! Just look at that spectacular frog splash. You can find lots more of her art on her Instagram. (Image credit: M. Zaniewski; via Colossal)
“Heterochromia Iridum”
Heterochromia iridum is the formal name for when a person’s irises are multi-colored, often with streaks or swirls of one color cutting through another. In this short film, photographer Rus Khasanov recreates the effect with glittery inks and paints. Their varying surface tensions help create the eye-like streaks and feathers through the Marangoni effect. Check out the full video to see the effect in action. (Image and video credit: R. Khasanov; via Colossal)
“Stranded”
The advantage of flying a drone over a volcanic eruption is getting all of the beauty with none of the danger. No asphyxiating on sulfuric gases, no burns from intense heat, no ash or flying rocks. Just the stunning, glowing beauty of fresh earth being born. “Stranded” takes us over and around the recent Icelandic eruption in a way that no human can ever experience. Sit back, relax, and feast your eyes on the spectacle. (Image and video credit: S. Ridard; via Colossal)
Tides and Tempests of the Coast
Photographer Rachael Talibart specializes in capturing the majestic and tumultuous power of the sea along England’s coast. Her most recent book “Tides and Tempests” looks incredible — full of turbulent crashing waves, skies of spray, and shorelines of surge and froth. I love how her photographs freeze the water in positions that seems surreal while underlining the sheer power of these storms. You can find more of her work on her website and Instagram. (Image credit: R. Talibart; via Colossal)
Outtakes
When filming, things don’t always go according to plan. Glasses break, splashes obscure your subject, and sometimes effects just don’t turn out the way you expect. But if you’re the Macro Room team, even those mistakes and outtakes are pretty darn fascinating to watch! I especially like some of the granular “splash” sequences here. (Image and video credit: Macro Room)
Candy Clouds Mid-Storm
There’s nothing quite like a towering storm cloud to showcase nature’s power. This gorgeous photo by Laura Rowe shows pastel clouds over West Texas in the middle of a thunderstorm. Despite the dusk at ground level, the height of the cloud keeps it lit by direct sunlight, giving its turbulent convection that colorful glow. Rowe, as it happens, is not a professional photographer, which is a good reminder to us all: it’s always worth looking up! You never know what beauty you’ll miss if you don’t. (Image credit: L. Rowe; via Colossal)
“Kármán Vortex Street”
Although engineers often consider fluid mechanics through the lens of mathematics, that’s far from the only way to understand fluid physics. Today’s video is an alternative interpretation of a classic flow — the flow around a cylinder — created in a collaboration between dancers and engineers. The result is what they call a “physics-constrained dance improvisation” that shows how the flow changes as its speed increases. I love this concept! It highlights the visual and qualitative differences between flow states and maintains space for artistic creativity. Be sure to watch the full video! (Video and submission credit: J. Capecelatro et al.)
Hovering Hawk
Birds have a level of control in flight that would make any engineer jealous. This 2021 Audubon Photography Award winning video by Bill Bryant shows off the skills of a red-tailed hawk. On this occasion, the hawk is using strong winds coming off the Rocky Mountains to hover in place. Notice how active his wings and tail are in adjusting to the changes in the wind while his head is perfectly still. With his head still, the hawk can scan the ground for mice and other prey. It’s absolutely incredible to see how effortlessly the hawk is accounting for unsteadiness in the wind here! (Video and image credit: B. Bryant; via Audubon)
“Starlit”
In “Starlit” filmmaker Roman De Giuli explores a universe in a fish tank. The planets and asteroids we see are droplets of paint and ink floating in a transparent, gel-like medium. I particularly like the sequences where paint stretches, beads up, and breaks into a string of droplets! (Image and video credit: R. De Giuli)
