Comments on: Where has the BA Book been, Part XII: I am amused http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/18/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-xii-i-am-amused/ 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. Sun, 05 Jul 2009 21:07:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: JackC http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/18/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-xii-i-am-amused/#comment-77238 JackC Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:38:25 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/18/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-xii-i-am-amused/#comment-77238 @Michael I have a tough time believing that the mass of the book would cause that much of an issue. I don't recall the specifics, but have vague memories of far more massive objects being "smuggled aboard", though I certainly understand the physics involved. That famous corned beef sandwich is probably the best-known example, and it probably massed about the same. I just don't think the few grams of the book would be recognised as an issue, and I DO believe that it would be very hard to beat that photo - with the possible exception of perhaps strapping it on the next probe to (trying hard to avoid the sophomoric references that present themselves!) the Kuiper belt, with a camera rigged to snap photos as it passed each major planetary (or minor) body along the way JC @Michael

I have a tough time believing that the mass of the book would cause that much of an issue. I don’t recall the specifics, but have vague memories of far more massive objects being “smuggled aboard”, though I certainly understand the physics involved. That famous corned beef sandwich is probably the best-known example, and it probably massed about the same.

I just don’t think the few grams of the book would be recognised as an issue, and I DO believe that it would be very hard to beat that photo - with the possible exception of perhaps strapping it on the next probe to (trying hard to avoid the sophomoric references that present themselves!) the Kuiper belt, with a camera rigged to snap photos as it passed each major planetary (or minor) body along the way

JC

]]> By: Nigel Depledge http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/18/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-xii-i-am-amused/#comment-77237 Nigel Depledge Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:11:14 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/18/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-xii-i-am-amused/#comment-77237 KaiYves said: "Did Victoria actually say “We are not amused” or is that just a myth like Holmes saying “Elementary, my dear Watson”?" You are right to ask: it is, in fact, a myth. Apparently, Victoria Regina had a quite lively sense of humour. Source: QI. Having said that, I could not find any references to back this up. KaiYves said:
“Did Victoria actually say “We are not amused” or is that just a myth like Holmes saying “Elementary, my dear Watson”?”

You are right to ask: it is, in fact, a myth. Apparently, Victoria Regina had a quite lively sense of humour. Source: QI.

Having said that, I could not find any references to back this up.

]]> By: JB of Brisbane http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/18/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-xii-i-am-amused/#comment-77236 JB of Brisbane Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:50:43 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/18/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-xii-i-am-amused/#comment-77236 @Chris Owen - The statue is in Queen's Park, which is just across Elizabeth Street from the Treasury Casino. I wish I had thought of doing this! @Chris Owen - The statue is in Queen’s Park, which is just across Elizabeth Street from the Treasury Casino.

I wish I had thought of doing this!

]]> By: John B. Sandlin http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/18/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-xii-i-am-amused/#comment-77235 John B. Sandlin Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:05:26 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/18/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-xii-i-am-amused/#comment-77235 "We are amused" - two thoughts - you've developed multiple personality disorder, or you've been ready Rescue Party by Arthur C. Clarke. jbs “We are amused” - two thoughts - you’ve developed multiple personality disorder, or you’ve been ready Rescue Party by Arthur C. Clarke.

jbs

]]> By: Chris Owen http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/18/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-xii-i-am-amused/#comment-77234 Chris Owen Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:24:43 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/18/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-xii-i-am-amused/#comment-77234 Funny, I travel into Brisbane every day for university and I have no idea where that statue is! I might have to do some exploring after the Easter holidays. :P I wonder if there are any Brisbanites around here who could get a picture of BA at the Sir Thomas Brisbane planetarium? Funny, I travel into Brisbane every day for university and I have no idea where that statue is! I might have to do some exploring after the Easter holidays. :P
I wonder if there are any Brisbanites around here who could get a picture of BA at the Sir Thomas Brisbane planetarium?

]]> By: Lugosi http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/18/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-xii-i-am-amused/#comment-77233 Lugosi Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:52:53 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/18/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-xii-i-am-amused/#comment-77233 This is totally off topic, but I finally came across <a href="http://wpcomics.washingtonpost.com/client/wpc/tmrkt/2008/03/16/" rel="nofollow">an explanation of dark matter</a> that even I can understand. This is totally off topic, but I finally came across an explanation of dark matter that even I can understand.

]]> By: Michael Lonergan http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/18/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-xii-i-am-amused/#comment-77232 Michael Lonergan Tue, 18 Mar 2008 22:17:25 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/03/18/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-xii-i-am-amused/#comment-77232 Jack, I'm not sure if they will be able to take the book up. They have pretty restricted weight limits and from what I understand every ounce counts. I guess someone could talk to one of the Astronauts and see if they would take it with their personal gear. I would imagine they are allowed to take up a certain amount of stuff like books and stuff. Jack,
I’m not sure if they will be able to take the book up. They have pretty restricted weight limits and from what I understand every ounce counts. I guess someone could talk to one of the Astronauts and see if they would take it with their personal gear. I would imagine they are allowed to take up a certain amount of stuff like books and stuff.

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