Hillsboro Air Show

Morgans wrote:

If you were taking that picture, and the B-1B flew past you (say 100
yards away) at slightly over Mach 1, how many decibels would you
experience? Round numbers, even?

I know that it would be damn loud, but how loud? Anyone else ever
wonder that?

Would depend on the altitude and the specific configuration of the
aircraft but sonic booms at reasonably short range are generally given
in the 200-220 decibel range.

Really damn loud in other words.

WoW !!!

First, if you don't mind, and won't be offended, where or how did you
come to know of these figures? Qualifications, or read it, or some
other? Don't take offense, like I said, but I would just like to know
if these figures are in the ballpark, but I doubt that they are not.
(which means I think they are pretty close)

Well, I was going from memory - which turns out to be inaccurate.

In fact, 194 decibels is the theoretical maximum sound level in air.

And sonic booms come very close to that maximum.

http://www.quietsolution.com/Noise_Levels.pdf

But not in excess of 194 dB.

Another question comes to mind, as to what else would people be able
point at, as making that kind of volume? Thunder at that same distance,
perhaps? I'll bet the plane is louder than that, though. (size matters?)

See the referenced chart. A jet aircraft at 30 feet is 160 decibels.

As decibels are logrithmic, 190 decibels would be perceived as about
eight times as loud - (a seat of the pants guessimate without actually
doing the math).

Let's see, if I have a small grasp. 125 Decibels is considered the pain
threshold, I think. I also seem to recall that perceived sound volume
doubles at every 10 Decibels. That means that it is 10 times or more
louder than pain!

I don't know if I can really get my head wrapped around this one!

Peace and justice,