Looking at this photo I can see lots of lights on the fuselage of this MD81. It can't be a reflection, can it?
Source: Airliners.net
Why are there so many lights?
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1$\begingroup$ For what I can see, the spot of light below the windows is a reflection of the wingtip light. $\endgroup$ – SMS von der Tann Mar 10 '16 at 2:04
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2$\begingroup$ Are the other lights simply interior lights visible through the windows perhaps? $\endgroup$ – Greg Hewgill Mar 10 '16 at 2:15
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2$\begingroup$ Does the smoke qualify for ground-ɕheɱtrᶏil? It's a trᶏil, and it's ɕheɱical... $\endgroup$ – mins Mar 10 '16 at 8:42
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1$\begingroup$ There are a couple of close votes on this: I'm voting to leave open as it does appear to be a fair question relating to "Are these lights part of the aircraft, or an optical illusion" which would seem to be on-topic to me? $\endgroup$ – Jon Story Mar 10 '16 at 15:12
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I think they are reflection from some light posts in the background environment (green line above the blue "horizon" light), and the reflection of the wingtip position light.
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2$\begingroup$ The one you circled in red is an actual light, to illuminate the wing leading edge. I think you are right about the rest though. $\endgroup$ – fooot♦ Mar 10 '16 at 15:39
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$\begingroup$ @fooot Interesting! Is that for in-flight inspection purposes, or? $\endgroup$ – Sanchises Dec 22 '17 at 10:59
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On the fuselage, only 3 per side (discounting the red anti-collision which is above/below):
- Ground flood aka runway turnoff lights.
- Leading edge for inspecting the wing and for higher visibility on ground to other vehicles.
- Nacelle.
And here they are from an MD-80 flight manual:
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I'd say they're reflections. You can see the reflection of a building or something like it on the fuselage, and if you look close enough, you can see the poles of the 2 first lights. Also most of them are at or near the windows' corners. There aren't any housings or mounts to lights on those spots.
