#flowvisualization

Scientists have long hypothesized that the high electrical charge of thunderstorms could produce an opposite charge in the ground that would discharge from the forest canopy. But this phenomenon, known as a corona, had never been observed on actual trees.  (Image credit: W. Brune; research credit: P. McFarland et al.; via SciAm)

When flow moves past a cylinder, vortices get shed in its wake. Known as a von Karman vortex street, this distinctive pattern is seen behind flags, islands, and even behind starships.  (Image and research credit: U. Patel et al.)

Fish detect turbulence in the water around them; among other things, this helps them avoid colliding with objects. Here, researchers are looking to understand how fish interact with underwater turbines.  (Video and image credit: H. Seyedzadeh et al.)

Glacier-fed rivers are often rich in colorful sediments. Here, photographer Jan Erik Waider shows us Iceland's glacial rivers flowing primarily in shades of blue.  (Video and image credit: J. Waider; via Laughing Squid)

Photographer Jan Erik Waider is a master of capturing incredible landscape imagery. In these videos, he uses a drone to film waves in the Baltic Sea gently undulating polygonal slabs of ice on the ocean surface. (Video and image credit: J. Waider/NorthLandscapes; via Colossal)

Many industrial processes break a fluid jet into droplets, like spray painting and ink-jet printing. Here, researchers examine an effervescent fluid jet made up of both liquid and gas.  (Video and image credit: S. Rao et al.)