Cool Pics
This is extra ordinary photography, once in a life time photo. Hope you
enjoy. Every so often, just the right combination of conditions and events
occur to create an unbelievable event - in this case an F-18 passing
through the sound barrier. Not only were the water vapor, density and
temperature just right, but there just happened to be a camera in the
vicinity to capture the moment.
At first, the F-18 is actually in transonic flight, with normal shock
waves emanating from behind the canopy and across the wings and fuselage.
The condition will last for only an instant, and once supersonic flow
exists completely around the aircraft, sharp-angled sonic cones replace
the normal shock waves.
The odds of getting a shot like this have to be staggering. and imagine
the crack! as it goes supersonic just as it is even with the ship!!!