Universe  ID: 557

Fluid Flows in a Microgravity Environment

Visualizations by James W. Williams Released on January 21, 1999
Matter behaves differently in a microgravity environment such as the International Space Station. Simulations can help scientists understand how heated or cooled fluids behave in microgravity. Computationally reducing gravity shows that temperature variation on the fluid surface becomes dominant and causes the fluid to move. A few degrees' variation can lead to significant motion.
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Two animations of fluid flow in a microgravity environment, where colors represent temperature and ribbons display the path of fluid motion. Redder colors are warmer.
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Video slate image reads, "Fluid Flows in a Microgravity Environment
Simulations can help scientists understand how heated or cooled fluids behave in microgravity. Computationally reducing gravity shows that temperature variation on the fluid surface becomes dominant and causes the fluid to move."

Visualization Credits

James W. Williams (GST): Lead Animator
Bill Barth (University of Texas): Animator
Gurcan Bicken (University of Texas): Animator
Spencer Swift (SGI): Animator
Graham Carey (University of Texas): Scientist
Robert McLay (University of Texas): Scientist
Bill Barth (University of Texas): Scientist
Gurcan Bicken (University of Texas): Scientist
Spencer Swift (SGI): Scientist
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio

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https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/557

This item is part of this series:
Images of Earth and Space

Keywords:
SVS >> Fluid dynamics
SVS >> Microgravity
SVS >> Simulation
NASA Science >> Universe