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Schlieren Optics – See small changes in the index of refraction in air

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Re: Schlieren Optics – See small changes in the index of refraction in air

#31
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post #22

I've long had this pet theory that soaring birds have a fine vision that allows them to see thermals (warm ascending currents) directly, through changes in the air's refraction index. I've searched a bit, but no research seems to ever have considered the question. Just a wild theory, though.

Interesting. I don't think that would be possible - the technique shown here relies on a mirror to get interferometry between the two light paths. I can't see how interferometry would be available to soaring birds (between its two eyes, perhaps?). Although nature has come up with some very surprising and impressive inventions before, so I might be wrong. I would guess they're just very good at spotting the conditions…

Given that many soaring birds have fantastic eyes to find prey or carrion, they might be able to see it.

Re: Schlieren Optics – See small changes in the index of refraction in air

#32
post #30
post #22

I've long had this pet theory that soaring birds have a fine vision that allows them to see thermals (warm ascending currents) directly, through changes in the air's refraction index. I've searched a bit, but no research seems to ever have considered the question. Just a wild theory, though.

Interesting. I don't think that would be possible - the technique shown here relies on a mirror to get interferometry between the two light paths. I can't see how interferometry would be available to soaring birds (between its two eyes, perhaps?). Although nature has come up with some very surprising and impressive inventions before, so I might be wrong. I would guess they're just very good at spotting the conditions…

You're right of course, it can't rely on collimated light like the normal Schlieren system. But the background-oriented Schlieren technique, mentioned elsewhere in this thread, is more reasonable to look at for inspiration, and it provides pretty much the same end result.

I suppose it can be thought of as a differential filter: only minute changes are interpreted to create a representation of the flow of air.

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