One for the mycology geeks - spore ballistics

[gregorach]

From ScienceBlogs today:

Science: because everything is better at a higher frame rate. Even — no, particularly — spores being fired from cow dung.

For the first time we have direct measurements of launch speeds and empirical estimates of acceleration in these fungi. Launch speeds ranged from 2 to 25 m s-1 and corresponding accelerations of 20,000 to 180,000 g propelled spores over distances of up to 2.5 meters.

The video is amazing...

 

[robin wood]

180,000g is quite some acceleration, makes a space shuttle look a bit of a slug. "Despite the immense power of its engines, the acceleration of the Space Shuttle is kept below 3 g. Anything greater would put unnecessary stress on the astronauts, the payload, and the ship itself. Fighter pilots can experience accelerations of up to 8 g for brief periods during tactical maneuvers. If sustained for more than a few seconds, 4 to 6 g is sufficient to induce blackout."