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New research gives insight into the incredible design of this bird of prey.
Researchers from the Freiberg University of Mining and Technology and the Universities of Bonn and Giessen have found a way to measure the aerodynamics of the Peregrine Falcon as it dives at speeds upwards of 200 mph (a Peregrine Falcon was once clocked at 242 mph). The scientists trained a number of falcons to dive in the same location, from the top of a dam in pursuit of a treat near the bottom.
As the falcons dove, scholars were able to use the backdrop of the dam wall to film and track the dive. This footage was the missing piece for previous researchers because of the difficulty of following the birds with cameras in the wild.
After mapping the information, models made in the shape of a diving falcon were analyzed for aerodynamics in a wind tunnel. They found that the birds have feathers that pop up during the dive in order to reduce drag and maintain aerodynamics, not unlike a spoiler on a race car. Also, at maximum speed the bird is V-shaped with waves and grooves to direct air flow (Sarah Griffiths, “The Physics of Falcons: Scientists Unravel Exactly How the Peregrine Is the Fastest Moving Creature On Earth,” The Daily Mail at DailyMail.co.uk, March 4, 2014).
Learning about the design details of the creation is to appreciate the genius of God. We see these details around us every day, but how often do we stop to appreciate them?
If you are a student of science, engineering, architecture, art or any of the creative and analytical disciplines, spend some time in the book of Job. The obvious themes of this book deal with catastrophe, trial, and eventual oneness with God, but it also contains fascinating information about the natural world and God’s creative role:
“From where then does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding? It is hidden from the eyes of all living, And concealed from the birds of the air… God understands its way, And He knows its place. For He looks to the ends of the earth, And sees under the whole heavens, To establish a weight for the wind, And apportion the waters by measure. When He made a law for the rain, And a path for the thunderbolt…” (Job 28:20-26, NKJV).
The knowledge in the book of Job was understood thousands of years ago, but has been intermittently lost to human comprehension through the ensuing centuries. Today we understand many of the functions of the natural world through scientific research, but without an appreciation of the Being who designed these fantastic aspects of creation, we lose the ability to grasp the bigger picture.
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