Foucault Pendulum in Greensboro

A Foucault pendulum is used to demonstrate the rotation of the Earth. In the above photo, we see the Foucault pendulum at the Natural Science Center in Greensboro. The Paris Observatory displayed the first one publicly in 1851. Perhaps the most famous Foucault pendulum is the one in the Pantheon in Paris, named after the French physicist who conceived the experiment. Wikipedia has a complete list of Foucault pendulums in the world categorized by country and by state for the USA. From this list, we learned that Greensboro actually has two: one at the Natural Science Center and one at NCA&T University. There are four total in North Carolina, one in nearby Winston-Salem and another in Fayetteville. According to the Wikipedia list, 39/50 US states boast at least one pendulum. 

This is our contribution to Monochrome Weekly. The monochrome theme recently celebrated its first anniversary. 

Comments

[Aileni]

I still remember the picture of the Paris Pendulum from my Children's Encyclopaedia. The concept still staggersme.

[Carver]

That is very interesting and a good subject for a monochrome shot. I also like your sin and salvation shot below. That's a good one!

[chrome3d]

I´m a bit ashamed to say that I have never seen one. The closest one is not that far from me...(thinking,, route-planning)...maybe this year then!

Somehow that black and white is just the right way to show that compass.

[Regina]

Nice one!

[Daryl]

Interesting

[Miranda]

Very cool shot!

[Clueless in Boston]

I never heard of Foucault pendulums. Interesting picture.

[magiceye]

impressive

[Lee Spangler]

Thanks for the pix. I loved seeing one as a child at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Looked at all the last pix on your blog. Just terrific. You have such an eye. I saw last night the new movie Goodbye Solo DVD filmed in Winston-Salem by director from that town. Have you seen or heard of it? It is excellent.