CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Austin Peay State University’s “professional mad scientist” Bryan Gaither burned through two airplanes on campus Thursday.
Gaither ignited 24 pounds of thermite to melt through two stacked airplane bodies at the Burt School parking lot. Thermite – a mix of iron oxide rust and aluminum powder – burns at 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
It was part of a science demonstration for students in the Governor’s School for Computational Physics. Under the program, nearly 40 high-achieving high school juniors and seniors from across the state are staying on campus for three weeks, enjoying a residential college experience while earning four college credit hours.
Austin Peay State University’s Bryan Gaither burns through an airplane on campus using 24 pounds of thermite on June 17, 2021. (Jariel Jimenez)
Austin Peay State University’s Bryan Gaither burns through an airplane on campus using 24 pounds of thermite on June 17, 2021. (Jariel Jimenez)
Austin Peay State University’s Bryan Gaither burns through an airplane on campus using 24 pounds of thermite on June 17, 2021. (Jariel Jimenez)
Austin Peay State University’s Bryan Gaither burns through an airplane on campus using 24 pounds of thermite on June 17, 2021. (Jariel Jimenez)
Austin Peay State University’s Bryan Gaither burns through an airplane on campus using 24 pounds of thermite on June 17, 2021. (Jariel Jimenez)
Austin Peay State University’s Bryan Gaither burns through an airplane on campus using 24 pounds of thermite on June 17, 2021. (Jariel Jimenez)
Austin Peay State University’s Bryan Gaither burns through an airplane on campus using 24 pounds of thermite on June 17, 2021. (Jariel Jimenez)
Austin Peay State University’s Bryan Gaither burns through an airplane on campus using 24 pounds of thermite on June 17, 2021. (Jariel Jimenez)
Austin Peay State University’s Bryan Gaither burns through an airplane on campus using 24 pounds of thermite on June 17, 2021. (Jariel Jimenez)
Austin Peay State University’s Bryan Gaither burns through an airplane on campus using 24 pounds of thermite on June 17, 2021. (Jariel Jimenez)
Austin Peay State University’s Bryan Gaither burns through an airplane on campus using 24 pounds of thermite on June 17, 2021. (Jariel Jimenez)
Austin Peay State University’s Bryan Gaither burns through an airplane on campus using 24 pounds of thermite on June 17, 2021. (Jariel Jimenez)
Austin Peay State University’s Bryan Gaither burns through an airplane on campus using 24 pounds of thermite on June 17, 2021. (Jariel Jimenez)
Austin Peay State University’s Bryan Gaither burns through an airplane on campus using 24 pounds of thermite on June 17, 2021. (Jariel Jimenez)
Austin Peay State University’s Bryan Gaither burns through an airplane on campus using 24 pounds of thermite on June 17, 2021. (Jariel Jimenez)
Austin Peay State University’s Bryan Gaither burns through an airplane on campus using 24 pounds of thermite on June 17, 2021. (Jariel Jimenez)
Austin Peay State University’s Bryan Gaither burns through an airplane on campus using 24 pounds of thermite on June 17, 2021. (Jariel Jimenez)
Austin Peay State University’s Bryan Gaither burns through an airplane on campus using 24 pounds of thermite on June 17, 2021. (Jariel Jimenez)
Austin Peay State University’s Bryan Gaither burns through an airplane on campus using 24 pounds of thermite on June 17, 2021. (Jariel Jimenez)
Austin Peay State University’s Bryan Gaither burns through an airplane on campus using 24 pounds of thermite on June 17, 2021. (Jariel Jimenez)
Clarksville Fire Rescue was on the scene as a precaution.