Comments on: Happy equinox! http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/ 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. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:27:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Buzz Parsec http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/comment-page-1/#comment-49493 Buzz Parsec Mon, 01 Oct 2007 05:58:46 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/#comment-49493 Chris - The slowing of the Earth's rotation is an ongoing process. It has been going on for billions of years and will continue for billions more. But "billions of years" isn't forever. It will eventually happen. I don't know the exact number but it has been calculated, and observed. IIRC, it will take about 2 billion more years, so we are about 2/3rds of the way through the process. The Sun will run out of fuel (Hydrogen) in about 5 billion years, so the Earth-Moon system will become tidally locked long before that happens. There are at least 2 direct physical observations that directly support this. I think there are ancient sedimentary rocks (100's of million years old) that show there were more days in a year than there are now (i.e. the Earth rotated faster), and direct measurements of the distance to the Moon using the Apollo laser reflectors show that the Moon is receding from the Earth, another consequence of the same theory. Chris -

The slowing of the Earth’s rotation is an ongoing process. It has been going on for billions of years and will continue for billions more. But “billions of years” isn’t forever. It will eventually happen. I don’t know the exact number but it has been calculated, and observed. IIRC, it will take about 2 billion more years, so we are about 2/3rds of the way through the process. The Sun will run out of fuel (Hydrogen) in about 5 billion years, so the Earth-Moon system will become tidally locked long before that happens.

There are at least 2 direct physical observations that directly support this. I think there are ancient sedimentary rocks (100′s of million years old) that show there were more days in a year than there are now (i.e. the Earth rotated faster), and direct measurements of the distance to the Moon using the Apollo laser reflectors show that the Moon is receding from the Earth, another consequence of the same theory.

]]> By: Chris Gegere "G-gear" http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/comment-page-1/#comment-49492 Chris Gegere "G-gear" Thu, 27 Sep 2007 16:04:14 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/#comment-49492 Concerning: Tides, the Earth, the Moon, and why our days are getting longer http://www.badastronomy.com/bad/misc/tides.html Phil (& Co.), Please read this following excerpt from your article: "Despite all this confusion, the Earth's rotation is in fact slowing down. Eventually, the Earth's rotation will slow down so much that the bulge will line up exactly between the centers of the Earth and the Moon. When this happens, the Moon will no longer be pulling the bulge back, and the Earth's spin will stop slowing. But when this happens, the time it takes for the Earth to rotate once will be slowed to exactly the same time it takes for the Moon to go around the Earth once! If you were to stand on the Moon and look at the Earth, you would always see the same face of the Earth." Phil's scientific and predictive explanation raises some questions: Why hasn't this already happened? (If the solar system is billions of years old?) Maybe, the solar system, let alone universe, isn't that old! Chris cgegere@tctwest.net Concerning:
Tides, the Earth, the Moon, and why our days are getting longer
http://www.badastronomy.com/bad/misc/tides.html

Phil (& Co.),
Please read this following excerpt from your article:

“Despite all this confusion, the Earth’s rotation is in fact slowing down. Eventually, the Earth’s rotation will slow down so much that the bulge will line up exactly between the centers of the Earth and the Moon. When this happens, the Moon will no longer be pulling the bulge back, and the Earth’s spin will stop slowing. But when this happens, the time it takes for the Earth to rotate once will be slowed to exactly the same time it takes for the Moon to go around the Earth once! If you were to stand on the Moon and look at the Earth, you would always see the same face of the Earth.”

Phil’s scientific and predictive explanation raises some questions:

Why hasn’t this already happened?
(If the solar system is billions of years old?)

Maybe, the solar system, let alone universe, isn’t that old!

Chris

cgegere@tctwest.net

]]> By: Mena http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/comment-page-1/#comment-49471 Mena Mon, 24 Sep 2007 02:36:10 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/#comment-49471 It's supposed to be 91F/33C in the Chicago area tomorrow (9/24). I would do my usual "MAKE IT STOP!!!" but it looks like it may actually be the end of this heat wave. The plants may really have to come in... It’s supposed to be 91F/33C in the Chicago area tomorrow (9/24). I would do my usual “MAKE IT STOP!!!” but it looks like it may actually be the end of this heat wave. The plants may really have to come in…

]]> By: John Money http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/comment-page-1/#comment-49485 John Money Sun, 23 Sep 2007 22:47:11 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/#comment-49485 Down here in South Florida it hasn't stopped raining for 5 days. You can have some of it if you wish! John Down here in South Florida it hasn’t stopped raining for 5 days. You can have some of it if you wish!

John

]]> By: Steve http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/comment-page-1/#comment-49488 Steve Sun, 23 Sep 2007 15:37:46 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/#comment-49488 "... the Sun’s position in the sky is exactly halfway between its farthest excursion north in the summer and the farthest south in winter..." To me, that seems practically the same as saying, when the Sun is over the equator. I.e., when the latitude is zero. I thought the USNO's definition of the equinox was when the Sun was at apparent ecliptic longitude of 180 degrees. I wonder what the time difference has been over the centuries? “… the Sun’s position in the sky is exactly halfway between its farthest excursion north in the summer and the farthest south in winter…”

To me, that seems practically the same as saying, when the Sun is over the equator. I.e., when the latitude is zero.

I thought the USNO’s definition of the equinox was when the Sun was at apparent ecliptic longitude of 180 degrees. I wonder what the time difference has been over the centuries?

]]> By: Edward Cohen http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/comment-page-1/#comment-49491 Edward Cohen Sun, 23 Sep 2007 15:10:54 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/#comment-49491 Tacitus, I was stationed in Texas (Camp Hood) in 1949, and early 1950. There was snow and ice that season. My parents came to pick me up in January and their hubcaps were covered with ice. First snow/ice in years. Tacitus, I was stationed in Texas (Camp Hood) in 1949, and early 1950.
There was snow and ice that season. My parents came to pick me up
in January and their hubcaps were covered with ice. First snow/ice in
years.

]]> By: Chris http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/comment-page-1/#comment-49490 Chris Sun, 23 Sep 2007 14:30:35 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/#comment-49490 Well - the Forecast for the Denver/Boulder area says the fist day of Fall will actually be very fall-like. A decently strong cold front coming through will see to that. This is still my favorite time of year here - driving the Peak to Peak Highway from Nederland to Estes Park and watching the Aspen turning is something not to be missed! Of course, if you grew up in Boulder on "The Hill" like I did, you'd understand that we actually have 4 seasons in Colorado: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter, and Construction... Well – the Forecast for the Denver/Boulder area says the fist day of Fall will actually be very fall-like. A decently strong cold front coming through will see to that. This is still my favorite time of year here – driving the Peak to Peak Highway from Nederland to Estes Park and watching the Aspen turning is something not to be missed!

Of course, if you grew up in Boulder on “The Hill” like I did, you’d understand that we actually have 4 seasons in Colorado: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter, and Construction…

]]> By: Kulvinder Matharu http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/comment-page-1/#comment-49489 Kulvinder Matharu Sun, 23 Sep 2007 13:58:38 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/#comment-49489 Hey, it's "Happy Autumn Equinox"! LOL September here in London has also been warm and sunny, which contrasts with the quite wet and miserable summer this year. Has enabled me to get out on my mountain bike after a summer of neglect. I guess summer isn't over until we switch our clocks from BST to GMT at the end of next month. Or does summer end today? This will cause endless debate at the office tomorrow I think! Hey, it’s “Happy Autumn Equinox”! LOL

September here in London has also been warm and sunny, which contrasts with the quite wet and miserable summer this year. Has enabled me to get out on my mountain bike after a summer of neglect.

I guess summer isn’t over until we switch our clocks from BST to GMT at the end of next month. Or does summer end today? This will cause endless debate at the office tomorrow I think!

]]> By: Encolpius http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/comment-page-1/#comment-49487 Encolpius Sun, 23 Sep 2007 12:55:25 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/#comment-49487 This morning I removed a hard-boiled egg from the refrigerator, cracked the shell and peeled it effortlessly, proving that eggs peel effortlessly on the equinox! Explain that, smartypants! This morning I removed a hard-boiled egg from the refrigerator, cracked the shell and peeled it effortlessly, proving that eggs peel effortlessly on the equinox! Explain that, smartypants!

]]> By: llewelly http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/comment-page-1/#comment-49486 llewelly Sun, 23 Sep 2007 12:09:43 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/#comment-49486 Given the huge abnormal deficit in Arctic sea ice ( <a href="http://nsidc.org/news/press/2007_seaiceminimum/20070810_index.html" rel="nofollow">ice extent news</a> or <a href="http://arctic.atmos.uiuc.edu/cryosphere/" rel="nofollow">ice area news</a> ) , it is likely that winter will be late and mild over much of the Northern hemisphere. I do wonder how much snow you'll see by December 22nd. Given the huge abnormal deficit in Arctic sea ice ( ice extent news or ice area news ) , it is likely that winter will be late and mild over much of the Northern hemisphere.
I do wonder how much snow you’ll see by December 22nd.

]]> By: Ahruman http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/comment-page-1/#comment-49481 Ahruman Sun, 23 Sep 2007 09:12:41 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/#comment-49481 The real question is whether the solstices are the only days when you can lay an egg down flat. The real question is whether the solstices are the only days when you can lay an egg down flat.

]]> By: Thomas Siefert http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/comment-page-1/#comment-49480 Thomas Siefert Sun, 23 Sep 2007 05:57:24 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/#comment-49480 You should try to convince people to stand an egg on it's end on Shpadoinkle day rather than at equinox, just prove the point. You should try to convince people to stand an egg on it’s end on Shpadoinkle day rather than at equinox, just prove the point.

]]> By: Quiet Desperation http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/comment-page-1/#comment-49484 Quiet Desperation Sun, 23 Sep 2007 04:36:25 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/#comment-49484 >>> Snow? What’s that? I think it's something you snort. Greetings from Southern California. :) >>> Snow? What’s that?

I think it’s something you snort.

Greetings from Southern California. :)

]]> By: Quiet Desperation http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/comment-page-1/#comment-49483 Quiet Desperation Sun, 23 Sep 2007 04:35:24 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/#comment-49483 More eggs on end: A big one with *multiple* chicks! http://whimsicalwill.tripod.com/CMSI/CMSIChick2.JPG Wow. This one is *really* reacting to the equinox! http://www.crazyaboutgadgets.com/uploads/oggz1.jpg Record holder for the largest egg to bird ratio in the world! Man, that must be some set of labor pains... http://www.jschatz.com/eggbirdfeeders/images/wildbirds/071304/PICT4223.jpg ZOMG! http://www.cedarlodge.yk.net/images/650egg.jpg Ack! They are legion! http://davidwonn.kontek.net/images/equinox.jpg Now they're organized with leaders! Ten HUT! http://www.astrosociety.org/education/publications/tnl/62/images/SM_8EGGS.JPG Who's this guy? http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap030923.html More eggs on end:

A big one with *multiple* chicks!
http://whimsicalwill.tripod.com/CMSI/CMSIChick2.JPG

Wow. This one is *really* reacting to the equinox!
http://www.crazyaboutgadgets.com/uploads/oggz1.jpg

Record holder for the largest egg to bird ratio in the world! Man, that must be some set of labor pains…
http://www.jschatz.com/eggbirdfeeders/images/wildbirds/071304/PICT4223.jpg

ZOMG!
http://www.cedarlodge.yk.net/images/650egg.jpg

Ack! They are legion!
http://davidwonn.kontek.net/images/equinox.jpg

Now they’re organized with leaders! Ten HUT!
http://www.astrosociety.org/education/publications/tnl/62/images/SM_8EGGS.JPG

Who’s this guy?
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap030923.html

]]> By: tacitus http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/comment-page-1/#comment-49474 tacitus Sun, 23 Sep 2007 04:02:39 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/#comment-49474 Snow? What's that? Greetings from Central Texas :) Snow? What’s that?

Greetings from Central Texas :)

]]> By: The Squid Zone http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/comment-page-1/#comment-49479 The Squid Zone Sun, 23 Sep 2007 03:31:48 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/#comment-49479 <strong>Happy Autumnal Equinox...</strong> On 23 September at 0951 UTC, the earth will experience the Autumnal Equinox... more commonly known in North America as The first day of Autumn. It is often rumoured that you can stand eggs on end near the equinox, even... Happy Autumnal Equinox…

On 23 September at 0951 UTC, the earth will experience the Autumnal Equinox… more commonly known in North America as The first day of Autumn. It is often rumoured that you can stand eggs on end near the equinox, even…

]]> By: Evolving Squid http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/comment-page-1/#comment-49478 Evolving Squid Sun, 23 Sep 2007 03:16:38 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/#comment-49478 Happy Autumnal Equinox. Just for you BA: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/dcowan38/board_posts/eq1.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/dcowan38/board_posts/eq2.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/dcowan38/board_posts/eq3.jpg Happy Autumnal Equinox. Just for you BA:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/dcowan38/board_posts/eq1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/dcowan38/board_posts/eq2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/dcowan38/board_posts/eq3.jpg

]]> By: Richard B. Drumm http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/comment-page-1/#comment-49477 Richard B. Drumm Sun, 23 Sep 2007 02:21:24 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/#comment-49477 Happy equinox back atcha! Maybe the Young Astronomer will take up skiing! We got almost no snow at all last year here in Charlottesville, your old stomping grounds... :-D It was HOT here today as well... You should see how McCormick Observatory's coming along! All new electrics/electronics on the Clark's mount, a temporary new control paddle, the pier's control panel -GONE- (well, it's in the basement, along with everything else) digital encoders are coming... Rich Happy equinox back atcha!
Maybe the Young Astronomer will take up skiing!
We got almost no snow at all last year here in Charlottesville, your old stomping grounds… :-D
It was HOT here today as well…
You should see how McCormick Observatory’s coming along! All new electrics/electronics on the Clark’s mount, a temporary new control paddle, the pier’s control panel -GONE- (well, it’s in the basement, along with everything else) digital encoders are coming…
Rich

]]> By: Quiet Desperation http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/comment-page-1/#comment-49476 Quiet Desperation Sun, 23 Sep 2007 02:18:20 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/#comment-49476 >>> holy water from Atlantis). Wait... the destruction of Atlantis predates Christianity! Ha! DEBUNKED! :) >>> holy water from Atlantis).

Wait… the destruction of Atlantis predates Christianity!

Ha! DEBUNKED! :)

]]> By: Quiet Desperation http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/comment-page-1/#comment-49475 Quiet Desperation Sun, 23 Sep 2007 02:16:55 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/#comment-49475 I'm in Southern Cal. I think we got your rain. Although we needed it, so thanks. :) I’m in Southern Cal. I think we got your rain.

Although we needed it, so thanks. :)

]]> By: Jim Downey http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/comment-page-1/#comment-49473 Jim Downey Sun, 23 Sep 2007 01:32:16 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/#comment-49473 You know, if you stand an egg on end that is smeared with the blood of a horse right at the moment of local noon, then the anti-Christ will be revealed in the shadow (but only if you sprinkle your glasses with holy water from Atlantis). It is said that the image resembles George W. Bush. Jim D. You know, if you stand an egg on end that is smeared with the blood of a horse right at the moment of local noon, then the anti-Christ will be revealed in the shadow (but only if you sprinkle your glasses with holy water from Atlantis).

It is said that the image resembles George W. Bush.

Jim D.

]]> By: Seamyst http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/comment-page-1/#comment-49472 Seamyst Sun, 23 Sep 2007 00:43:47 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/#comment-49472 I just wish it'd rain, the grass here is all parched and brown. I just wish it’d rain, the grass here is all parched and brown.

]]> By: rich (richmanwisco) http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/comment-page-1/#comment-49482 rich (richmanwisco) Sun, 23 Sep 2007 00:04:57 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/09/22/happy-equinox/#comment-49482 Oh wait! Hold on while I get my egg! Oh wait! Hold on while I get my egg!

]]>