Do planes trigger rains?

The Naked Scientists Podcast

Dr Chris Smith

Science Radio, Engineering, Naked Scientists, Natural Sciences, Technology, Life Sciences, Health & Fitness, Medicine, Science

4.6 • 957 Ratings

🗓️ 20 August 2011

⏱️ 62 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

The rain in Spain falls mainly on the "plane". Or so the saying goes, but new research has confirmed that aeroplanes do cause clouds to dump their contents prematurely, often around airports, and in this week's show we explore this weather-altering effect of aviation. We also ask industry leader Rolls-Royce to explain how a jet engine works and how their designers have cut noise pollution from planes by over 99% since 1960. In the news, we hear how scientists are forecasting more accurate space weather predictions thanks to a new way to spot sunspots before they even erupt, a new study finds a... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Transcript

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0:00.0	Stripping down science, the naked scientists.
0:07.0	The Naked Scientists. Hello, it's Sunday the 21st of August and we have lift-off which is highly
0:26.2	appropriate because on the naked scientists this week we're talking about
0:29.1	aeroplanes I'm Chris Smith and also here with us is Dave Anso Holiday.
0:33.0	Hello, coming up we discover how jet engines work and how airplanes alter the weather around airports.
0:38.0	And also what engineers are doing about the noise planes make.
0:42.0	My university professor used to tell me that the noise of an F.A. Cup final crowd was enough to fry one egg.
0:51.0	And the energy that's in the engine is very very much more than that.
0:55.8	We have been able to reduce the noise by 99.9% over the last 30 or 40 years. But it's 99.9% over the last 30 or 40 years.
1:03.0	But is 99.9% enough, we'll find out shortly.
1:07.0	Meanwhile, in the news this week, why scientists are forecasting improved spaced weather predictions
1:12.0	thanks to a new way to spot sunspots a day
1:14.9	before they happen and how stem cells can be used to treat muscular dystrophy.
1:19.1	So if you've got any questions or comments for the show, get in touch now.
1:23.7	You can tweet at naked scientists, right on our Facebook page, that's at naked scientist.
1:28.4	com slash Facebook, or you can drop us an email.
1:31.6	The email address is Chris at the Naked Scientists.
1:33.9	The Naked Scientists podcast is powered by UKfast, the UK's best hosting
1:42.0	provider on the web at UKfast.co.
1:45.0	UK.
1:50.0	This is the naked scientist with Chris Smith and with Dave Ansel and we're in the deep end or at least out into outer space Dave
1:57.6	That's right solar seismologists may be able to improve space weather forecasts.
	...

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