Dot Matrix Skywriting Over Toronto - 12:45

[DaveC426913]

Seen over downtown Toronto at 12:45. Dot matrix skywriting. Cool. At first I thought it was one plane with a series of pods dragging below it, but we were able to actually spot five planes flying in formation.

The letters are so perfect that the 'puffing' is obviously centrally computer-controlled (probably from the lead craft). We can see that the planes do not stay in perfect formation - some pull slightly ahead, some fall slightly behind. That means that they also have real-time distance tracking tied into alter the puff times of each craft to compensate for being slightly out of position.

A friend got a pic of the writing part way through, so we should be able to see the planes. working on it...

 

[jtbell]

Here's an example from California a few years ago:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/escapist/2821995831/

 

[lisab]

Cool! Does the plane make a loud BZZZZZT with each line?

 

[jtbell]

At the speed the dots are being produced, it would have to be more like a "zit...zit...zit...zit..."

 

[JaredJames]

That is awesome!

 

[Chi Meson]

I saw this happen back in the late 70s over the skies of Northern Virginia. That means that this method is older than dot-matrix printing. I have no idea what the message was, but I watched those planes circle for about an hour.

 

[JaredJames]

I saw this happen back in the late 70s over the skies of Northern Virginia. That means that this method is older than dot-matrix printing. I have no idea what the message was, but I watched those planes circle for about an hour.

Well, at least the speed of printing was about the same.

 

[physics girl phd]

Well, at least the speed of printing was about the same.

But do you need special skies with holes on the edges?

 

[JaredJames]

But do you need special skies with holes on the edges?

What do you think the issue with the ozone layer is all about...

 

[DaveC426913]

But do you need special skies with holes on the edges?

 

[KingNothing]

Holy ****! Now all I want to do is buy Claritin!

 

[Drakkith]

What do you think the issue with the ozone layer is all about...

Hrmm...according to an old guy I heard about, it's all those space rockets we keep shooting up that's putting holes in the zone layer.