Quick pics from our first trip to the wind tunnels at NASA-Ames in Mountain View, California.  The wind turbine project is testing prototypes in the wind tunnels in May ’09 and heavy in preparation for the visit.  NASA-Ames has three wind tunnels — a 7′x10′ tunnel, a 40′x80′ tunnel and an 80′x120′ tunnel, the world’s largest.  The experience is quite eery.  The tunnels are sound dampened to the extent that being inside makes you feel like you’re ears are plugged.  All voices are muffled, and both ends of the tunnel are shrouded in vast darkness.  It’s how I imagine the tip of the Earth would look if it was flat — peering off the edge into deep space.  The tunnels are a prominent landmark as you drive along Hwy 101 in the Bay Area and attract companies (and philanthropic groups!) worldwide for their use. More photos, blogs, and testing results to come!