- #1
houlahound
- 907
- 223
Not a question but such a good clip for those that have not had the pleasure;
Hammer / feather moon drop clip
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around a video clip of a hammer and feather drop experiment conducted on the Moon, exploring the implications of the observed motion and the possibility of calculating the Moon's gravitational acceleration based on the clip's analysis.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- Some participants find the slower free-fall of the hammer and feather on the Moon fascinating, suggesting it resembles an underwater experiment.
- One participant proposes that it might be possible to calculate the Moon's gravity by analyzing the motion in the clip, contingent on knowing the frame rate and a reference distance.
- Another participant notes the need to determine the number of frames between the release of the objects and their impact, suggesting that this could be challenging without video analysis tools.
- Concerns are raised about potential optical distortions in the video that could affect distance measurements, with one participant humorously lamenting the absence of a measuring tool like a ruler.
- A later reply echoes the sentiment about the lack of a ruler, suggesting that it would have been beneficial for the experiment.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express curiosity and propose methods for analysis, but there is no consensus on the feasibility of calculating the Moon's gravity from the clip or on the reliability of the visual data presented.
Contextual Notes
The discussion highlights limitations related to the assumptions required for calculations, such as the accuracy of frame rate and the potential distortion in the video, which remain unresolved.
- #2
blue_leaf77
Science Advisor
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To me the slower free-falling hammer than it does on Earth looks more fascinating, almost as if they are doing the experiment underwater.
- #3
houlahound
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Yr posts makes me wonder if it is possible to calculate the Moon's gravity by motion analysing this clip??
Need the frame rate and a known distance eg height of astronaut, their must be some object in view someone knows the precise length of??
Need the frame rate and a known distance eg height of astronaut, their must be some object in view someone knows the precise length of??
- #4
blue_leaf77
Science Advisor
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With the frame rate, you will also need to know the number of frames between the moment of the release of the objects and the moment when they hit the ground, which I think is rather difficult to achieve unless you have some video analyzer to decompose the frames. For the first try may be we can just believe that the playback time is the same as the time the scene was recorded, i.e. use the displayed YouTube's time.
- #5
houlahound
- 907
- 223
Yes that would be a good first calculation. I am worried that the optics seems a bit "squishy" ie distorted to get good distance data.
Why oh why did they not think to pack a 1m ruler.
Why oh why did they not think to pack a 1m ruler.
- #6
davenn
Science Advisor
Gold Member
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houlahound said:
cuz they don't/didn't know what a metre is/was
yeah some sort of measuring ruler would have been good to complete the science experimentD
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