Sound Camera

[Robert Edmonds]

I've been making a sound camera over the last year or so. Well recently I haven't been, because of a new baby, but I think I can make it out for a few days this upcoming season. I originally was designing it towards locating birds, but thinking of bringing it along storm chasing. Specifically last year heard the roar of a tornado. Got me curious again about sound emission from a tornado. Most observations of sound, or low frequency sound has been from one, or a limited number or sensors. What I built is more like a phased array, and will be able to 'image' sound. Anyways if you see me with this weird thing next year, now you know.

Photos show the device, and an example of it finding a bird.

 

[Marc R. O'Leary]

This is fascinating. I'm looking forward to seeing what it catches on the plains.

 

[James Hammett]

Never heard of a sound camera but that's really intriguing. I'd guess lower frequencies - especially infrasound or near-infrasound frequencies that research has correlated with tornadoes - would require a very large array to detect. Maybe possible in the field with coordinated quadcopters - sponsored by Intel?

 

[Robert Edmonds]

I'd guess lower frequencies - especially infrasound or near-infrasound frequencies that research has correlated with tornadoes - would require a very large array to detect.

Yeah lower frequencies would require larger separation, but less accurate timing and location. I'm working on one that uses GPS to keep track of timing using its pps signal, but just has one mic. Then post process the data from several later. Although I wouldn't get vertical spatial resolution.