Just how far does your spit fly at a soccer game?
Amsterdam's Johan Cruyff Arena is usually the home of Ajax -- one of Europe's most well known soccer teams.
but today instead of seating fans, it's testing an array of machines that spray a fine aerosol mist, made to resemble saliva, over the empty stands.
Scientists from Eindhoven University of Technology are hoping the machines help them analyze how fans might spread coronavirus through their screaming and cheering.
The arena can hold up to 55,000 of them.
Bert Blocken is a professor and researcher on the study.
"So, there is almost no information in scientific literature about the behaviour of aerosols in this kind of environment. That's first why we want to get fundamental insights in the behaviour of aerosols in a stadium filled with football supporters, that are here represented now by these aerosol generators, but also what can be done about it."
There is growing consensus among scientists that transmission via aerosols at least plays a part in the spread of the coronavirus, but it's unclear to what extent exactly.
A computer model will extrapolate the data gathered during weeks of testing, with the hope of getting people back into stadiums, concert halls, and other venues.
Researchers also hope to get permission soon to experiment with real fans.
