Comments on: Solstice http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/ I am an astronomer, writer, and skeptic. I likes reality the way it is, and I aims to keep it that way. My real name is Phil Plait, and I run the Bad Astronomy blog. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:20:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Mike http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/comment-page-1/#comment-26215 Mike Fri, 22 Dec 2006 12:37:25 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/#comment-26215 Longest night of the year . . . and I'm observing tonight. . . all night . . . Longest night of the year . . . and I’m observing tonight. . . all night . . .

]]> By: One Eyed Jack http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/comment-page-1/#comment-26214 One Eyed Jack Fri, 22 Dec 2006 11:19:46 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/#comment-26214 "Of course Rudolph’s nose would have to be another color besides red, right? And, what color would that be…? " Green of course. “Of course Rudolph’s nose would have to be another color besides red, right?

And, what color would that be…? ”

Green of course.

]]> By: ioresult http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/comment-page-1/#comment-26213 ioresult Fri, 22 Dec 2006 08:51:17 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/#comment-26213 Phil said: "And thanks to the Morehead Planetarium for letting me steal that image, even if they maybe don’t know I did so much." Oooh! You're EVIL!!! hehehe Phil said: “And thanks to the Morehead Planetarium for letting me steal that image, even if they maybe don’t know I did so much.”

Oooh! You’re EVIL!!! hehehe

]]> By: The Bad Astronomer http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/comment-page-1/#comment-26212 The Bad Astronomer Fri, 22 Dec 2006 07:02:50 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/#comment-26212 Oh nuts! TimG is right, and I corrected it. I'm making lots of dumb little errors like that lately. I have a lot on my mind, I guess. Oh nuts! TimG is right, and I corrected it. I’m making lots of dumb little errors like that lately. I have a lot on my mind, I guess.

]]> By: Seamyst http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/comment-page-1/#comment-26211 Seamyst Fri, 22 Dec 2006 02:32:54 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/#comment-26211 Heeheeheehee... I almost snorted my OJ when I read your 1984 references, BA. Made my day. Heeheeheehee… I almost snorted my OJ when I read your 1984 references, BA. Made my day.

]]> By: Evolving Squid http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/comment-page-1/#comment-26195 Evolving Squid Fri, 22 Dec 2006 01:38:11 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/#comment-26195 On January 1 at 0200 the clocks go ahead a year. This "Daylight Savings Year" is being instituted by executive order to better service the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. On January 1 at 0200 the clocks go ahead a year. This “Daylight Savings Year” is being instituted by executive order to better service the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

]]> By: Ray Gray http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/comment-page-1/#comment-26210 Ray Gray Fri, 22 Dec 2006 01:20:43 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/#comment-26210 So, is there a real Santa Claus on the South Pole? Yes, of course. He would be named SANTArctica. Then, he would bring toys to the children on June 25th. Of course Rudolph's nose would have to be another color besides red, right? And, what color would that be...? So, is there a real Santa Claus on the South Pole?

Yes, of course. He would be named SANTArctica.

Then, he would bring toys to the children on June 25th.

Of course Rudolph’s nose would have to be another color besides red, right?

And, what color would that be…?

]]> By: Rob http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/comment-page-1/#comment-26209 Rob Fri, 22 Dec 2006 01:12:55 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/#comment-26209 The Sydney Morning Herald has just posted a Reuters article about an artist creating a sculpture "Stellar Axis" comprising 99 blue fibreglass spheres on a 182 m diameter site in Antarctica on the solstice. The sculpture can only be set up for one day after which it has to be removed. No pictures yet though. http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Antarctica-art-plots-star-path-for-a-day/2006/12/22/1166290718636.html The Sydney Morning Herald has just posted a Reuters article about an artist creating a sculpture “Stellar Axis” comprising 99 blue fibreglass spheres on a 182 m diameter site in Antarctica on the solstice. The sculpture can only be set up for one day after which it has to be removed. No pictures yet though.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Antarctica-art-plots-star-path-for-a-day/2006/12/22/1166290718636.html

]]> By: ThinCritter http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/comment-page-1/#comment-26208 ThinCritter Fri, 22 Dec 2006 00:43:47 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/#comment-26208 "UPSIDE DOWN"!!!, We're not upside down, you're upside down!!. Happy Solstice from down-under. :-) “UPSIDE DOWN”!!!, We’re not upside down, you’re upside down!!.

Happy Solstice from down-under.
:-)

]]> By: Carl Buell (OGeorge) http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/comment-page-1/#comment-26207 Carl Buell (OGeorge) Thu, 21 Dec 2006 23:59:55 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/#comment-26207 Phil, This is also the time of year when the full moon rises highest in the north. That 23 degree tilt makes for wonderful moonlight tracking in the snow. Unfortunately, this year it hasn't even really been cold yet, and there's not a snowflake in sight here in my part of Upstate New York. Phil,

This is also the time of year when the full moon rises highest in the north. That 23 degree tilt makes for wonderful moonlight tracking in the snow. Unfortunately, this year it hasn’t even really been cold yet, and there’s not a snowflake in sight here in my part of Upstate New York.

]]> By: JanieBelle http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/comment-page-1/#comment-26206 JanieBelle Thu, 21 Dec 2006 23:43:08 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/#comment-26206 Sorry, Dr. BA. At least you didn't get busted by the 17 year old fan-girl on the perigee/perihelion thing. Now <i>THAT</i> would have been embarrassing for an astronomer of your caliber. In my defense, however, let me just point out that Shakespeare was gnawing on my left arm at the time (he seems to have a thing for chewing only my left arm that I can't explain), and Kate was attempting to um... otherwise distract me. Her technique is somewhat different from Shakespeare's though. ;) Sorry, Dr. BA. At least you didn’t get busted by the 17 year old fan-girl on the perigee/perihelion thing. Now THAT would have been embarrassing for an astronomer of your caliber.

In my defense, however, let me just point out that Shakespeare was gnawing on my left arm at the time (he seems to have a thing for chewing only my left arm that I can’t explain), and Kate was attempting to um… otherwise distract me.

Her technique is somewhat different from Shakespeare’s though.
;)

]]> By: Kristin http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/comment-page-1/#comment-26205 Kristin Thu, 21 Dec 2006 23:41:29 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/#comment-26205 Is anyone else bothered by that graphic? The two paths should be parallel, but instead it looks like the Sun will rise and set in the same place on the two solstices. For most of us in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun rises south of east (and sets south of west) now, and rises north of east (and sets north of west) 6 months from now. Is anyone else bothered by that graphic? The two paths should be parallel, but instead it looks like the Sun will rise and set in the same place on the two solstices. For most of us in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun rises south of east (and sets south of west) now, and rises north of east (and sets north of west) 6 months from now.

]]> By: One Eyed Jack http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/comment-page-1/#comment-26204 One Eyed Jack Thu, 21 Dec 2006 22:41:21 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/#comment-26204 I hope everyone is preparing a proper sacrifice for the solstice. I'm going to be pissed if I wake up tomorrow to eternal darkness because some lazy SOB didn't perform the necessary rituals to ensure that the God is reborn of the Goddess to bring forth the return of the Sun! Yeah, you talk all smart with your science and stuff, but you won't be laughing after the world is plunged into eternal winter and darkness! OEJ ,-) I hope everyone is preparing a proper sacrifice for the solstice. I’m going to be pissed if I wake up tomorrow to eternal darkness because some lazy SOB didn’t perform the necessary rituals to ensure that the God is reborn of the Goddess to bring forth the return of the Sun!

Yeah, you talk all smart with your science and stuff, but you won’t be laughing after the world is plunged into eternal winter and darkness!

OEJ ,-)

]]> By: Tim G http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/comment-page-1/#comment-26203 Tim G Thu, 21 Dec 2006 22:37:30 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/#comment-26203 Phil, do you mean "perihelion" instead of "perigee"? Barring the effects of cloud cover, I look forward to a sunnier day tomorrow. Phil, do you mean “perihelion” instead of “perigee”?

Barring the effects of cloud cover, I look forward to a sunnier day tomorrow.

]]> By: The Bad Astronomer http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/comment-page-1/#comment-26202 The Bad Astronomer Thu, 21 Dec 2006 22:35:46 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/#comment-26202 I do read books other than texts sometimes... ... and you mean "references." I put in three. :-) I do read books other than texts sometimes…

… and you mean “references.” I put in three. :-)

]]> By: Michael http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/comment-page-1/#comment-26201 Michael Thu, 21 Dec 2006 22:33:39 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/#comment-26201 HA! Great Orwellian reference... HA! Great Orwellian reference…

]]> By: ABR http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/comment-page-1/#comment-26200 ABR Thu, 21 Dec 2006 22:09:09 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/#comment-26200 JanieBelle, I noticed that, too. I think skipping June 2007 is due to a last minute law passed by this Congress to outlaw the solstices next year (because of The War on The-War-on-Christmas, of course). Hopefully, the law will be scheduled to -- ahem -- sunset late next year. Oh...it was just a typo. Where's the fun in that? JanieBelle,
I noticed that, too. I think skipping June 2007 is due to a last minute law passed by this Congress to outlaw the solstices next year (because of The War on The-War-on-Christmas, of course). Hopefully, the law will be scheduled to — ahem — sunset late next year.

Oh…it was just a typo. Where’s the fun in that?

]]> By: The Bad Astronomer http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/comment-page-1/#comment-26199 The Bad Astronomer Thu, 21 Dec 2006 22:04:14 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/#comment-26199 Dangit, Janie, you're not supposed to find my mistakes! Fixed. Dangit, Janie, you’re not supposed to find my mistakes! Fixed.

]]> By: Rob http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/comment-page-1/#comment-26198 Rob Thu, 21 Dec 2006 21:50:50 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/#comment-26198 Happy Solstice from down under here in Australia. Fortunately chocolate is plentiful and down still appears to be down! Happy Solstice from down under here in Australia. Fortunately chocolate is plentiful and down still appears to be down!

]]> By: JanieBelle http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/comment-page-1/#comment-26197 JanieBelle Thu, 21 Dec 2006 21:50:41 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/#comment-26197 <blockquote>On June 20, 2008, the arc will be as high as it can be, and then it will inexorably start to drop again.</blockquote> Getting ahead of ourselves are we? What about June 20, 2007?

On June 20, 2008, the arc will be as high as it can be, and then it will inexorably start to drop again.

Getting ahead of ourselves are we? What about June 20, 2007?

]]> By: Cindy http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/comment-page-1/#comment-26196 Cindy Thu, 21 Dec 2006 21:42:52 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/12/21/solstice/#comment-26196 But Dec 7th was the day of the earliest sunset for those of us at latitude 40 North. And January 5th is the day of latest sunrise. A good explanation of this is at www.analemma.com. But Dec 7th was the day of the earliest sunset for those of us at latitude 40 North. And January 5th is the day of latest sunrise.

A good explanation of this is at http://www.analemma.com.

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