Many great minds of science have ruminated on this vital issue. They were less concerned with how close, though, than with how period, since landing upside down is no mean feat.
The leading theory for years was that the flies did a half barrel roll sideways a la the Blue Angels just before landing. This idea was shot down in 1958 when Natural History magazine published photos showing that in fact flies do a sort of backward somersault.
On approaching the ceiling, and while still flying right side up, flies extend their forelegs over their heads till they can grab a landing spot with the suction cups in their feet. Their momentum then enables them to swing their hind legs up, like a gymnast on a trapeze. Result: inverted fly, home and dry. So the answer to your query is, they get real close.
…and this study used how much money that could’ve been used for cancer and AIDS research, exactly?
or even some type of Teflon paint for the ceiling
Hey Derek, how much do you donate for AIDS and Cancer Research? You should take
that cash and spend it on reading comprehension lessons.
There was no study. It was 1958 and someone with a decent camera took pictures of
this. They were paid by Natural History Magazine, probably a few hundred dollars.
WTF are you on about man? Trying as hard as possible to speak with a foot in your mouth
will only result in things like this. Go smoke a doobie and relax.