Comments on: Don’t you just hate perihelion?

By: Barton Paul Levenson

Barton Paul Levenson — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:09:14 +0000

zemig types:

[[Shouldnt perihelion coincide with winter solstice?]]

Why? The length of day as opposed to night does depend on where Earth is in its orbit (and the obliquity of the equator), but I don’t think that cycle is tied to perihelion/aphelion in any way. Is it? Dr. Plait?

By: zemig

zemig — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 23:48:13 +0000

Shouldnt perihelion coincide with winter solstice?

By: Troy

Troy — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 09:47:44 +0000

I think the most conspicuous aspect of perihelion is that you get later sunsets.

By: Dídac López

Dídac López — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:40:31 +0000

You have an explanation about that anomalistic precession:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anomalistic_precession#Anomalistic_precession

This phenomenon is independent from solstice/equinox precession. However, it plays a minor role in “Milankovic cycles” (the oscillations between ice ages and inter-glacial ages in a “Icehouse Earth”…).

Anyway, Happy Anomalistic Year to Everybody.

By: Doc

Doc — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 17:35:29 +0000

My favorite Arthur quote is still:

“Don’t you wish you were me? I know I do.”

By: The Bad Astronomer

The Bad Astronomer — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:38:06 +0000

Joshua: I’ll alert the media. You are correct.

It’s not the first time I’ve quoted “Arthur”, either. It’s a fantastically funny movie.

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:25:17 +0000

Wow, this morning I opened up a new carton of eggs, and to my utter amazement, all 12 eggs were standing on end!!!!

What could this mean? What could this possibly mean???