In 2021, scientists experimenting with fiber optics picked up a strange signal: the cacophony of cicadas. It could lead to a new way of monitoring insects.
    • theodewere@kbin.social
      28·
      1 year ago

      their strengths are pan-frequency dominance and total theater saturation… and impressive individual capabilities, i had one fire up his amplifier about a foot above my head, and i just stood there in awe of the little monster’s raw sonic prowess…

      • Dkarma@lemmy.worldEnglish
        71·
        1 year ago

        Alien creatures that whose attack vector is sound and can be everywhere at once is low key terrifying. They could just vibrate you to death.

  • theodewere@kbin.social
    281·
    1 year ago

    the cicadas around here were so loud and dense this year, they chased the birds away… i had a huge population of song birds all spring and summer in my garden… then the cicadas spawned and took over the trees and all the airwaves… the birds just fucked off to i don’t know where, and i’m sure it’s just because they couldn’t hear themselves over the immense buzzing…

  • SomeoneSomewhere@lemmy.nzEnglish
    27·
    1 year ago

    Fibre optics can be used to measure a remarkable number of properties.

    The electrical transmission industry makes significant use of fibreoptic current sensors, and distributed fibreoptic temperature sensors.

    The latter is particularly useful as you can measure the temperature at any point along the fibre’s length, allowing you to detect hot-spots in cables.

    Cicadas are pretty loud; I’m sure you can pick up much quieter things with a fibreoptic microphone.