| fiogf49gjkf0d 
				This looks a bit like a giant ear canal, but in a way, it's the 
opposite. It's the largest horn in the most powerful sound system in 
Europe. The system's maximum output, according to the European Space 
Agency, would kill any human exposed to it. 
		 
				The horn is part 
of the European Space Agency's Large European Acoustic Facility in 
Noordwijk, the Netherlands. The facility blasts sound at spacecraft 
components to test whether they're able to withstand the intense noise 
of launch. There are four horns, to create sounds in a range of 
frequencies. ESA engineers send nitrogen gas through the horns to create
 noise of more than 154 decibels.
		 
				Whether that's enough to 
literally kill is unclear. (There are so many variables. Did the agency 
mean "kill you on contact" or "kill you if you're sealed inside the 
facility for a while"?) At the very least, it would cause some serious 
damage. The eardrums rupture at around 150 decibels. The lungs rupture at around 200 decibels.
		 
				For
 safety, the facility has half-meter-thick walls made of 
steel-reinforced concrete coated inside with epoxy resin, which reflects
 noise into the chamber. It also won't operate unless all of its doors 
are closed. 
 
  
 http://www.popsci.com/article/technology/big-pic-sound-system-thats-loud-enough-kill?src=SOC&dom=tw 
 Regards
 Corallus
 
 |