- #1
B0b-A
- 155
- 32
New and improved Catherine-wheel ...
Have you seen the new and improved Catherine-wheel ?
- Thread starter B0b-A
- Start date
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the new and improved Catherine-wheel, focusing on its design, functionality, and authenticity. Participants explore various aspects including the mechanics of its operation, the potential use of rockets or fireworks, and the visual effects involved.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
Main Points Raised
- Some participants express skepticism about the authenticity of the Catherine-wheel, suggesting it may be fake due to the limitations of small rockets in terms of burn time and stability during flight.
- Others propose that the device could be using long burn fireworks to create a lifting effect through a propeller mechanism, rather than relying solely on short burn rockets.
- Concerns are raised about the synchronization of the rockets needed for stable flight, with some arguing that the apparent regularity of motion and smoke trails suggests artificial effects.
- One participant notes that the structure may be designed to stabilize the device until gyroscopic action takes over, indicating a possible framework supporting the Catherine-wheel.
- There is a suggestion that the moment of inertia could help smooth out any instability from unsynchronized rockets, and that gyroscopic action might maintain the horizontal position of the ring.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants generally disagree on the authenticity and mechanics of the Catherine-wheel, with multiple competing views on whether it is real or a product of CGI, and how it operates if it is real.
Contextual Notes
Participants express uncertainty regarding the specific mechanisms involved in the Catherine-wheel's operation, including the type of propulsion used and the structural design for stability.
- #2
Borg
Science Advisor
Gold Member
- 2,356
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I think that it was posted in the YouTube classics thread several months ago. Pretty impressive though. 
- #3
dipole
- 553
- 149
This is fake. For one, small rockets which are powerful enough to lift the weight of something that large don't burn for more then 5-10 seconds. Second, for that thing to be stable, it'd require the rockets to be carefully synchronized at launch and during flight - lighting a bunch of wicks with large sticks doesn't cut it. Third, it just looks fake - the motion and smoke trail are far too regular and symmetric.
- #4
edward
- 73
- 165
Is it really using short burn rockets to lift it or is it using long burn fire works to spin a propeller device that does the lifting. Regardless it was very impressive. : )
- #5
B0b-A
- 155
- 32
dipole said:
If it is a fake it's very good : CGI smoke is difficult. As for weight , it's just a framework, not a solid disk.
dipole said:
Like a flywheel , the moment of inertia would smooth out any unsynchronised / asymmetrical rockets.
and gyroscopic action would keep the ring horizontal.
edward said:
The ring does have blades in it , but they are not radial ...
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- #6
edward
- 73
- 165
I have a feeling that some of those people around it were holding it steady until the gyroscopic action was sufficient. Then they ran link He11.
Correction it appears to be sitting within a circular structure that kept it stabilized until the gyroscopic action was sufficient. On full screen it looks even more impressive.
Correction it appears to be sitting within a circular structure that kept it stabilized until the gyroscopic action was sufficient. On full screen it looks even more impressive.
Last edited:
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