Comments on: Alberta and the Mythbusters. Eh? http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/ 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 17:58:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Pregnancy myths busted by pregnant Mythbuster | Bad Astronomy | Discover Magazine http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/comment-page-1/#comment-183821 Pregnancy myths busted by pregnant Mythbuster | Bad Astronomy | Discover Magazine Fri, 15 May 2009 17:07:54 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/#comment-183821 [...] not surprised. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her twice: once at TAM, and once in Alberta when I moderated a panel discussion with the Build Team. She’s even smarter, sassier, and funnier in person than on the show, and I’m glad this [...] [...] not surprised. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her twice: once at TAM, and once in Alberta when I moderated a panel discussion with the Build Team. She’s even smarter, sassier, and funnier in person than on the show, and I’m glad this [...]

]]> By: Seymour Skinner http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/comment-page-1/#comment-52566 Seymour Skinner Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:02:01 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/#comment-52566 Anywho, I see you understood that 'embiggen' is a perfectly cromulent word! Anywho, I see you understood that ‘embiggen’ is a perfectly cromulent word!

]]> By: Kullat Nunu http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/comment-page-1/#comment-52565 Kullat Nunu Wed, 24 Oct 2007 10:36:18 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/#comment-52565 <i>...63 degrees ++ north...</i> Ditto, give or take half a degree. <i>And the northern star is pretty much straight up (well not fully but almost)</i> From these latitudes the primary stars of Ursa Major and Cassiopeia are located <b>south</b> from the zenith. <i>It’s not so usual to see the northern lights so far south as 56 degrees is it?</i> It is not usual to see aurorae that south in Europe. <i>The aurora is usually visible farther south in Canada than in Europe because the N magnetic pole is near the Canadian Arctic Islands so the ring of aurora around it dips farther south in Canada.</i> You're right, I forgot that. That is changing, however, because the magnetic pole is racing northwards rapidly. The northernmost Europe (Lapland) is located directly under the aurora oval. The relatively mild climate (come on, the record low temperatures are only around -50°C!), long dark winter nights and good accessibility means that it is the best place in the world for aurora watching. …63 degrees ++ north…

Ditto, give or take half a degree.

And the northern star is pretty much straight up (well not fully but almost)

From these latitudes the primary stars of Ursa Major and Cassiopeia are located south from the zenith.

It’s not so usual to see the northern lights so far south as 56 degrees is it?

It is not usual to see aurorae that south in Europe.

The aurora is usually visible farther south in Canada than in Europe because the N magnetic pole is near the Canadian Arctic Islands so the ring of aurora around it dips farther south in Canada.

You’re right, I forgot that. That is changing, however, because the magnetic pole is racing northwards rapidly.

The northernmost Europe (Lapland) is located directly under the aurora oval. The relatively mild climate (come on, the record low temperatures are only around -50°C!), long dark winter nights and good accessibility means that it is the best place in the world for aurora watching.

]]> By: Jim Baerg http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/comment-page-1/#comment-52564 Jim Baerg Wed, 24 Oct 2007 03:32:13 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/#comment-52564 Hi Jon L The aurora is usually visible farther south in Canada than in Europe because the N magnetic pole is near the Canadian Arctic Islands so the ring of aurora around it dips farther south in Canada. Jim Baerg 51°N 114°W Hi Jon L

The aurora is usually visible farther south in Canada than in Europe because the N magnetic pole is near the Canadian Arctic Islands so the ring of aurora around it dips farther south in Canada.

Jim Baerg 51°N 114°W

]]> By: Pete Dunkelberg http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/comment-page-1/#comment-52563 Pete Dunkelberg Wed, 24 Oct 2007 03:19:10 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/#comment-52563 OT Phil, please check your email for a note on a physics blog carnival. Pete OT Phil, please check your email for a note on a physics blog carnival.

Pete

]]> By: theRick http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/comment-page-1/#comment-52536 theRick Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:47:52 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/#comment-52536 WYSIWYG = What You See Is What You Get WYSIWYG = What You See Is What You Get

]]> By: Max Fagin http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/comment-page-1/#comment-52535 Max Fagin Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:55:00 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/#comment-52535 What does WYSIWYG stand for? What does WYSIWYG stand for?

]]> By: uknesvuinng http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/comment-page-1/#comment-52549 uknesvuinng Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:27:31 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/#comment-52549 Re: Orange Box Not only can you be a gun-wielding scientist, but if you want, you can play TF2 and be a gun-wielding soldier (or medic, scout, demoman, etc). And for sheer gimmicky, physics-defying fun, you can play Portal. All Halo 3 has is fellow players to shoot and a nice control scheme. Halo is way overrated. There's not really much of anything Halo does that isn't done elsewhere and often better. Also, as someone who'd followed Team Fortress since the original (Quake 1), I'm still mildly in shock that TF2 has actually come out. Granted, it isn't the epic, strategic military shooter we were initially promised, but it's something. I could almost expect Duke Nukem Forever to actually come out now, but then I remember that "Forever" refers to how long they intend to keep it "in development." Re: Orange Box

Not only can you be a gun-wielding scientist, but if you want, you can play TF2 and be a gun-wielding soldier (or medic, scout, demoman, etc). And for sheer gimmicky, physics-defying fun, you can play Portal. All Halo 3 has is fellow players to shoot and a nice control scheme. Halo is way overrated. There’s not really much of anything Halo does that isn’t done elsewhere and often better.

Also, as someone who’d followed Team Fortress since the original (Quake 1), I’m still mildly in shock that TF2 has actually come out. Granted, it isn’t the epic, strategic military shooter we were initially promised, but it’s something. I could almost expect Duke Nukem Forever to actually come out now, but then I remember that “Forever” refers to how long they intend to keep it “in development.”

]]> By: Andrew http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/comment-page-1/#comment-52548 Andrew Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:27:23 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/#comment-52548 Jeez, it's not like we Canadians say 'eh!?' all the time, eh? Just a lot of it. So anyway, glad you had a good time in the place the rest of us affectionately refer to "Fort McMoney." Eh. Jeez, it’s not like we Canadians say ‘eh!?’ all the time, eh? Just a lot of it.

So anyway, glad you had a good time in the place the rest of us affectionately refer to “Fort McMoney.” Eh.

]]> By: Kurt http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/comment-page-1/#comment-52543 Kurt Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:05:50 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/#comment-52543 Yeah, Fort Mac is more Nort-East than Central... ;) I managed to get to one of the Mythbusters pannels at Dragon Con last year. The funniest bit: There were 2 Q&A mics in a hall that seated thousands. Each mic had a line-up at least 20 people deep the entire time. Until one poor guy gets to the mic and asks "Kari, will you marry me?" And immeidately, <i>ALL</i> of the guys in <i>both</i> lineups went back to their seats! Even grant had to comment on that one with a "Hey, all the guys had the same question!" Did she get any proposals in FM? Yeah, Fort Mac is more Nort-East than Central… ;)

I managed to get to one of the Mythbusters pannels at Dragon Con last year. The funniest bit: There were 2 Q&A mics in a hall that seated thousands. Each mic had a line-up at least 20 people deep the entire time.

Until one poor guy gets to the mic and asks “Kari, will you marry me?”

And immeidately, ALL of the guys in both lineups went back to their seats!

Even grant had to comment on that one with a “Hey, all the guys had the same question!”

Did she get any proposals in FM?

]]> By: zeb http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/comment-page-1/#comment-52538 zeb Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:24:18 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/#comment-52538 IMO moon halos are better. I always love people wondering what I am looking at until I point up. Of course, sun halos do have their charm. IMO moon halos are better. I always love people wondering what I am looking at until I point up. Of course, sun halos do have their charm.

]]> By: What??? http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/comment-page-1/#comment-52537 What??? Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:22:52 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/#comment-52537 Details details, but if Fort Mac is Central Alberta, I guess that puts Edmonton in Southern Alberta (as it's a 5 hour drive South of Fort Mac)... what's Lethbridge then (5 hour drive south of Edmonton)? (Some would argue that Lethbridge is Hell.) ;) Details details, but if Fort Mac is Central Alberta, I guess that puts Edmonton in Southern Alberta (as it’s a 5 hour drive South of Fort Mac)… what’s Lethbridge then (5 hour drive south of Edmonton)?

(Some would argue that Lethbridge is Hell.) ;)

]]> By: Quiet_Desperation http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/comment-page-1/#comment-52560 Quiet_Desperation Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:09:00 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/#comment-52560 I recall when they first added the second team to Mythbusters I was, naturally, skeptical, but they turned out to be a really good team. I actually recognized Grant initially from Battlebots, and Tory's sense of humor jives with mine. I'll avoid a Kari comment because it's getting old. Yes, she's cute. We get it. And, sorry, but Half Life pwns Halo. Hey, I love both, but Half Life is a thinking man's shooter. My only message to Valve is "MORE PORTAL LEVELS!" I recall when they first added the second team to Mythbusters I was, naturally, skeptical, but they turned out to be a really good team. I actually recognized Grant initially from Battlebots, and Tory’s sense of humor jives with mine. I’ll avoid a Kari comment because it’s getting old. Yes, she’s cute. We get it.

And, sorry, but Half Life pwns Halo.

Hey, I love both, but Half Life is a thinking man’s shooter.

My only message to Valve is “MORE PORTAL LEVELS!”

]]> By: aiabx http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/comment-page-1/#comment-52559 aiabx Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:02:58 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/#comment-52559 I wonder if Kari gets fed up with being a top 5 nerd obsession and that makes her a bit more willing to get a few shots in at her fanboy base. Or maybe she's just a bit too quick and sharp for the good of people around her. We'll never know unless you pass on the jokes. You can attribute them to random strangers if you're trying to avoid a lwsuit/asskicking. I wonder if Kari gets fed up with being a top 5 nerd obsession and that makes her a bit more willing to get a few shots in at her fanboy base. Or maybe she’s just a bit too quick and sharp for the good of people around her. We’ll never know unless you pass on the jokes.
You can attribute them to random strangers if you’re trying to avoid a lwsuit/asskicking.

]]> By: jest http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/comment-page-1/#comment-52562 jest Tue, 23 Oct 2007 14:47:29 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/#comment-52562 I think it's in Fort Mac, where a Subway restaurant is paying their employees $20/hour after three months of being there. Just to keep 'em there. I'm surprised the BA didn't get up-ended by a stack of money while looking up (across? hehe) at the moon. I think it’s in Fort Mac, where a Subway restaurant is paying their employees $20/hour after three months of being there. Just to keep ‘em there.

I’m surprised the BA didn’t get up-ended by a stack of money while looking up (across? hehe) at the moon.

]]> By: Moose http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/comment-page-1/#comment-52561 Moose Tue, 23 Oct 2007 14:42:48 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/#comment-52561 Phil: : You want the Orange Box my friend. Why play as a gun wielding marine : when you can play as a gun wielding SCIENTIST? Two words: Scorpion. and Tank. One more word: Warthog. Gordon Freeman can't pick up chicks with the gravity gun. (Well, actually, he can, but...) Phil:
: You want the Orange Box my friend. Why play as a gun wielding marine
: when you can play as a gun wielding SCIENTIST?

Two words: Scorpion. and Tank.
One more word: Warthog.

Gordon Freeman can’t pick up chicks with the gravity gun. (Well, actually, he can, but…)

]]> By: Grizzly http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/comment-page-1/#comment-52558 Grizzly Tue, 23 Oct 2007 14:15:43 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/#comment-52558 Grrr. And how do you like living in Denver, Colorado (United States of America). Pet peeve of a few Canajuns that anytime a place in Canajia is mentioned we have to append the country. Glad you liked Fort Mac, but it's too bad you didn't have time to view the Bitumen mining (that oil that was discovered...) and also see more of the province. Grrr.

And how do you like living in Denver, Colorado (United States of America).

Pet peeve of a few Canajuns that anytime a place in Canajia is mentioned we have to append the country.

Glad you liked Fort Mac, but it’s too bad you didn’t have time to view the Bitumen mining (that oil that was discovered…) and also see more of the province.

]]> By: The Dread Polack http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/comment-page-1/#comment-52557 The Dread Polack Tue, 23 Oct 2007 14:09:58 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/#comment-52557 Haha! That doesn't surprise me about Kari at all. She's just the kind of girl I hung out with in High School. Grant is actually the kind of guy I hung out with in HS. We'd probably be on the match team together or something. I bet Kari and Grant wouldn't have hung out in HS though. Hm... Anyway, I'm jealous. Sounds like you had a lot of fun with those crazy kids. Dread Polack Haha! That doesn’t surprise me about Kari at all. She’s just the kind of girl I hung out with in High School. Grant is actually the kind of guy I hung out with in HS. We’d probably be on the match team together or something. I bet Kari and Grant wouldn’t have hung out in HS though. Hm…

Anyway, I’m jealous. Sounds like you had a lot of fun with those crazy kids.

Dread Polack

]]> By: Cello Man http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/comment-page-1/#comment-52556 Cello Man Tue, 23 Oct 2007 14:09:23 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/#comment-52556 Not enough pictures of Kari. But it's a fun article so I'll let that slide. Not enough pictures of Kari. But it’s a fun article so I’ll let that slide.

]]> By: Sergeant Zim http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/comment-page-1/#comment-52555 Sergeant Zim Tue, 23 Oct 2007 14:07:44 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/#comment-52555 As far as why so many of the organizing forces in science fairs etc. are women, I have a theory: Many women started to get into Science because there are/were a lot of guys going into Science, and they figured it might be a good opportunity to catch a potentially rich one. Now that the balance may be shifting, we may see a preponderance of women in the Sciences for a while, until the lads figure out that that's where all the smart, beautiful women are. (I know, saying smart and beautiful to describe a female Scientist is a redundancy...) And please ladies, don't accuse me of sexism, any more than normal, anyway. As the famous line uttered by virtually all baseball umpires goes: "I calls 'em like I sees 'em". As far as why so many of the organizing forces in science fairs etc. are women, I have a theory:

Many women started to get into Science because there are/were a lot of guys going into Science, and they figured it might be a good opportunity to catch a potentially rich one. Now that the balance may be shifting, we may see a preponderance of women in the Sciences for a while, until the lads figure out that that’s where all the smart, beautiful women are. (I know, saying smart and beautiful to describe a female Scientist is a redundancy…)

And please ladies, don’t accuse me of sexism, any more than normal, anyway. As the famous line uttered by virtually all baseball umpires goes: “I calls ‘em like I sees ‘em”.

]]> By: Jamie http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/comment-page-1/#comment-52554 Jamie Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:51:32 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/#comment-52554 I'm so sad I wasn't able to go, I wish I knew sooner that it was going on. Oh well I will look forward to next year. I’m so sad I wasn’t able to go, I wish I knew sooner that it was going on. Oh well I will look forward to next year.

]]> By: Ken B http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/comment-page-1/#comment-52553 Ken B Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:26:03 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/#comment-52553 Are you sure that the real reason the Moon and Polaris were in the "wrong" places isn't because the Earth's axis has shifted? :-) Are you sure that the real reason the Moon and Polaris were in the “wrong” places isn’t because the Earth’s axis has shifted?
:-)

]]> By: Phil http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/comment-page-1/#comment-52552 Phil Tue, 23 Oct 2007 12:55:42 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/#comment-52552 Booo Halo 3 :P You want the Orange Box my friend. Why play as a gun wielding marine when you can play as a gun wielding SCIENTIST? Booo Halo 3 :P

You want the Orange Box my friend. Why play as a gun wielding marine when you can play as a gun wielding SCIENTIST?

]]> By: Grand Lunar http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/comment-page-1/#comment-52551 Grand Lunar Tue, 23 Oct 2007 12:46:23 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/#comment-52551 Pretty cool, Phil! Interesting relevation about Kari, too. I figured she was not your average woman, but not in the manner you describe! I don't suppose some videos of your talk and trip will be appearing anytime soon, huh? I love to see you spread REAL science to others. Pretty cool, Phil!

Interesting relevation about Kari, too.
I figured she was not your average woman, but not in the manner you describe!

I don’t suppose some videos of your talk and trip will be appearing anytime soon, huh? I love to see you spread REAL science to others.

]]> By: Jon L http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/comment-page-1/#comment-52550 Jon L Tue, 23 Oct 2007 10:41:52 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/10/22/alberta-and-the-mythbusters-eh/#comment-52550 Hey. Impressed. I want to meet the mythbusters as well... I live in Norway (63 degrees ++ north) and I am always impressed that the moon is so high when I travel further south. And the northern star is pretty much straight up (well not fully but almost) It's not so usual to see the northern lights so far south as 56 degrees is it? Even where I am living we usually only see the green hues of colour. (You usually have to cross the polar circle to se multicolored displays in the sky, as far as I know anyway) Keep up the good work! Jon Hey. Impressed. I want to meet the mythbusters as well…

I live in Norway (63 degrees ++ north) and I am always impressed that the moon is so high when I travel further south. And the northern star is pretty much straight up (well not fully but almost)

It’s not so usual to see the northern lights so far south as 56 degrees is it? Even where I am living we usually only see the green hues of colour. (You usually have to cross the polar circle to se multicolored displays in the sky, as far as I know anyway)

Keep up the good work!

Jon

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