At Commonwealth Games, the World's Largest Aerostat

GillBates0 writes "Last weekend saw the world's largest aerostat of its kind featured at the opening ceremony of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. The helium balloon or aerostat measures 40x80x12 meters, contains 20,000 cubic meters of helium and features lights, mirrors, cameras, a 360 degree projection screen, projectors and a reflective underbelly. During the show, it was raised 25 meters off the ground and transformed into a giant Bodhi Tree and a meditating Buddha, with giant puppets to complement the cultural performances beneath. These slideshows tell the story."

Comments

It's a balloon

[BadAnalogyGuy]

It's a big balloon.

For those of us who live in America, these things are pretty run of the mill.

Re:It's a balloon

[cappp]

Yeah and Pamela Anderson just had a pair of breasts. For those of us who live on Earth, those things are pretty run of the mill.

Re:It's a balloon

[pegasustonans]

It's a big balloon.

Although it seems jaded, I have to say I agree.

The photographs clearly illustrate a large decorative balloon.

There's nothing wrong with that, but it's not exactly earth-shattering.

Aerostat not the only thing of note

[jrumney]

The video projections on the aerostat were pretty, but more remarkable is the size of Prince Charles's codpiece in photo number 4.

Helium

[TD-Linux]

So for the last month ./ has been running stories about how we are quickly depleting our remaining helium supplies, and now we're floating a TV with 20,000 m^3 of it?

... I don't know what to say.

Re:Helium

[BadAnalogyGuy]

It's okay. The audience was able to help themselves to a lungful upon the end of the closing ceremonies.

They were tweeting in real time.

Re:Helium

[flyingfsck]

It is only the US that is running out. The rest of world doesn't have a problem.

Re:Helium

[Sockatume]

The US accounts for 80% of the current supply. If they're running out, the rest of the world has a problem.

Re:Let me guess:

[TheLink]

So why doesn't the US join in the games? They were a colony once right? ;)

I find the Commonwealth Games rather amusing. After all how many countries would be able to pull the following off:

1) Take over other countries (often via military force)
2) Extract resources from those countries.
3) Get kicked out by those other countries.
4) Organize an event to celebrate the Commonwealth :).

FWIW, I think the reason why the Brits can pull it off is in many cases they were actually better to/for the local population and country than the local rulers were...

The other reason is you probably have to a Brit to be able to actually think this is such a great idea :).

Imagine the Belgians or Dutch trying to hold their own Commonwealth Games. How many would want to show up?

Anonymous Coward

[Anonymous Coward]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkSWE9UZjdE

here's the video

Re:Let me guess:

[tanveer1979]

The later Moghul rulers were the murderous ones.
Akbar was among the first, and is generally considered as a very good monarch.
The last one (Aurgangzeb) was pretty murderous, and also imposed taxes on non muslims to get them to convert.

Re:Let me guess:

[stiggle]

Not all members of the Commonwealth were British colonies.
A number of other countries have applied to join anyway as they see a regional benefit to being a member.

Mozambique - used to be a Portugese colony. Now a member of the Commonwealth (since 1995)
Rwanda - used to be a Belgian & German colony. A member since 2009.

Algeria & Madagascar have also both applied to join having no prior links to the British overseas

Re:Let me guess:

[TheLink]

Got to hand it to the Brits, now they've even got noncolonies wanting to join the exclusive excolonies club.

Jolly good show and tally ho :).

Re:Let me guess:

[TheRaven64]

Does anyone actually say 'mozzies' and expect to be taken seriously?