Some 300 drones lit up the night sky over Jerusalem's Mount Herzl Wednesday night as Israel celebrated countrywide 70 years of sovereignty.
The beautiful aerial display took place during the traditional torch-lighting ceremony in the capital. A modern take on the annual firecracker show, the drone display as well as the team that operates it originate in the American-based semiconductor manufacturing company Intel.
On Wednesday it was announced that Intel CEO Brian Krzanich planned to attend the ceremony as a special gesture in honor of the country's anniversary festivities.
The company has a branch in Israel, where it employs some 11,000 Israelis in research and development centers.
The drones created gorgeous blue images against the backdrop of the dark night sky, forming the portrait of the father of modern political Zionism (also known as Chozeh HaMedinah) Theodor Herzl as well as renowned Israeli and Jerusalem-specific symbols such as a dove with an olive branch in its mouth, the Israeli flag, the Tower of David, the Dome of the Rock and the Chords Bridge.
The high-tech performance, which is revered worldwide, makes use of colorful LED illumination and GPS sensors. The drones, dubbed "Shooting Stars," are extremely light and weigh some 330 grams each. They are flown in a synchronized way via special technology that enables a single drone operator to maneuver a slew of them at a time.
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