Comments on: EggPOD http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/ 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 10:29:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: HCN http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/comment-page-1/#comment-121177 HCN Fri, 26 Sep 2008 03:05:40 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/#comment-121177 Obviously a couple of comic writers were thinking of this when they created this "Betty" cartoon: http://www.comics.com/comics/betty/archive/betty-20080925.html Obviously a couple of comic writers were thinking of this when they created this “Betty” cartoon:
http://www.comics.com/comics/betty/archive/betty-20080925.html

]]> By: IVAN3MAN http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/comment-page-1/#comment-120117 IVAN3MAN Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:09:12 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/#comment-120117 <strong>@ belewhale</strong> When it's summer in the southern hemisphere, the Earth is at its perihelion (closest approach, around January 3rd) to the Sun at a distance of 147,098,074 km; however, when it's summer in the northern hemisphere, the Earth is at its aphelion (farthest, around July 4th) at a distance of 152,097,701 km from the Sun. Due to inverse square law, this results in the Earth receiving ~6.9% more solar radiation when at its perihelion than at its aphelion -- which is why summers are bloody hot down under! @ belewhale

When it’s summer in the southern hemisphere, the Earth is at its perihelion (closest approach, around January 3rd) to the Sun at a distance of 147,098,074 km; however, when it’s summer in the northern hemisphere, the Earth is at its aphelion (farthest, around July 4th) at a distance of 152,097,701 km from the Sun. Due to inverse square law, this results in the Earth receiving ~6.9% more solar radiation when at its perihelion than at its aphelion — which is why summers are bloody hot down under!

]]> By: buffalodavid http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/comment-page-1/#comment-120093 buffalodavid Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:47:43 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/#comment-120093 One of my favorite TV series, which is usually science friendly, did a take on this in one episode, but the way they presented it left me miffed. CJ tells everyone that you can do this on the equinox and everyone says its bunk. But she does it, after everyone leaves the room. BUT.... she never tries it on a non-equinox day. (Well, maybe she does, in a later episode. I've yet to see the last two seasons.) One of my favorite TV series, which is usually science friendly, did a take on this in one episode, but the way they presented it left me miffed. CJ tells everyone that you can do this on the equinox and everyone says its bunk. But she does it, after everyone leaves the room. BUT…. she never tries it on a non-equinox day. (Well, maybe she does, in a later episode. I’ve yet to see the last two seasons.)

]]> By: belewhale http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/comment-page-1/#comment-120079 belewhale Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:09:19 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/#comment-120079 Hi Phil! Sorry to put a tiny crack in your eggshell, but your spring salutation is a little belated... For those of us in the land downunder, spring already sprang back on the 1st of September.... For some strange reason, that I have yet to uncover, we Aussie's just can't wait for the actual dates of the two equinox and soltices.... we jump the gun, and change the seasons on the 1st day of that month... i.e. 1st September is the first day of Spring; 1st December is the first day of Summer etc.... Since coming to North America over 10 years ago, I've always found it strange that the longest day of the year occurs before summer has even really taken a foothold (up here in the frozen north anyways....) So very different to that which I am accustomed back home in Oz, where the warmer - even hot - weather has become much more firmly entrenched by that time, and the lessening daylight hours are a godsend later in the dog days of summer! If anyone can enlighten me as to why this is, I would be most appreciative : ) Hi Phil!
Sorry to put a tiny crack in your eggshell, but your spring salutation is a little belated… For those of us in the land downunder, spring already sprang back on the 1st of September….
For some strange reason, that I have yet to uncover, we Aussie’s just can’t wait for the actual dates of the two equinox and soltices…. we jump the gun, and change the seasons on the 1st day of that month… i.e. 1st September is the first day of Spring; 1st December is the first day of Summer etc….
Since coming to North America over 10 years ago, I’ve always found it strange that the longest day of the year occurs before summer has even really taken a foothold (up here in the frozen north anyways….) So very different to that which I am accustomed back home in Oz, where the warmer – even hot – weather has become much more firmly entrenched by that time, and the lessening daylight hours are a godsend later in the dog days of summer!

If anyone can enlighten me as to why this is, I would be most appreciative : )

]]> By: Nadia http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/comment-page-1/#comment-120066 Nadia Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:08:14 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/#comment-120066 And Happy Autumn to you, Phil! Or should I say, Happy Fall? And Happy Autumn to you, Phil! Or should I say, Happy Fall?

]]> By: News From Around The Blogosphere 9.21.08 « Skepacabra http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/comment-page-1/#comment-120055 News From Around The Blogosphere 9.21.08 « Skepacabra Mon, 22 Sep 2008 06:53:42 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/#comment-120055 [...] From Around The Blogosphere 9.21.08 Happy Autumnal Equinox everybody! - (It’s actually on Sept. 22th this year) You know what that means? Time to once again [...] [...] From Around The Blogosphere 9.21.08 Happy Autumnal Equinox everybody! – (It’s actually on Sept. 22th this year) You know what that means? Time to once again [...]

]]> By: IVAN3MAN http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/comment-page-1/#comment-120054 IVAN3MAN Mon, 22 Sep 2008 06:50:29 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/#comment-120054 <strong>@ Quiet Desperation</strong> Free Range chickens like to keep warm when outside: <a href="<a href"http://www.chickenssuit.com/" title="Chicken_Clothing" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3106/2877687535_6388ece8cb_o.jpg" /></a> @ Quiet Desperation

Free Range chickens like to keep warm when outside:

]]> By: johnkemeny.com » Blog Archive » !eggstrondinary = BA on APOD (again) http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/comment-page-1/#comment-120048 johnkemeny.com » Blog Archive » !eggstrondinary = BA on APOD (again) Mon, 22 Sep 2008 06:02:09 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/#comment-120048 [...] Update: eggPOD [...] [...] Update: eggPOD [...]

]]> By: Fauxnetikz http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/comment-page-1/#comment-120040 Fauxnetikz Mon, 22 Sep 2008 03:37:01 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/#comment-120040 Someone posted you on MyConfinedSpace :-P http://www.myconfinedspace.com/2008/09/21/egging-on-the-autumnal-equinox/ Someone posted you on MyConfinedSpace :-P
http://www.myconfinedspace.com/2008/09/21/egging-on-the-autumnal-equinox/

]]> By: Quiet Desperation http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/comment-page-1/#comment-120034 Quiet Desperation Mon, 22 Sep 2008 02:20:07 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/#comment-120034 <i>sɓɓǝ ǝɔuɐɿɐq ʇou ʇnq uʍop ǝpᴉsdn ǝʇᴉɹʍ uɐɔ ᴉ</i> AAAAAAAAHH! I'M TRIPPING! sɓɓǝ ǝɔuɐɿɐq ʇou ʇnq uʍop ǝpᴉsdn ǝʇᴉɹʍ uɐɔ ᴉ

AAAAAAAAHH!

I’M TRIPPING!

]]> By: BethK http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/comment-page-1/#comment-120030 BethK Mon, 22 Sep 2008 01:35:40 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/#comment-120030 ǝɔuǝᴉʇɐd ɥɓnouǝ ʇou sɓɓǝ ǝɔuɐɿɐq ʇou ʇnq uʍop ǝpᴉsdn ǝʇᴉɹʍ uɐɔ ᴉ ǝɔuǝᴉʇɐd ɥɓnouǝ ʇou
sɓɓǝ ǝɔuɐɿɐq ʇou ʇnq uʍop ǝpᴉsdn ǝʇᴉɹʍ uɐɔ ᴉ

]]> By: Naked Bunny with a Whip http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/comment-page-1/#comment-120026 Naked Bunny with a Whip Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:38:59 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/#comment-120026 <i>What does that mean?</i> It might mean DEATH FROM THE SKIES!! Buy the book by Philip Plait, Ph.D., to find out for sure! What does that mean?

It might mean DEATH FROM THE SKIES!! Buy the book by Philip Plait, Ph.D., to find out for sure!

]]> By: BigBadSis http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/comment-page-1/#comment-120012 BigBadSis Sun, 21 Sep 2008 23:01:52 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/#comment-120012 Wow!!! Your face on the APOD! I'm so impressed. Does that mean you're a heavenly body?? Wow!!! Your face on the APOD! I’m so impressed. Does that mean you’re a heavenly body??

]]> By: Gail http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/comment-page-1/#comment-120008 Gail Sun, 21 Sep 2008 22:26:44 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/#comment-120008 Bloody oath! My fave day of the year! Spring Equinox. As of today the light time far outstrips the night time. We have even had a spot of rain! But we are still in serious trouble drought wise in Melb'n (water reserves at about 30ish per cent which is 10% down on last year... Crapulence) Bloody oath!
My fave day of the year! Spring Equinox. As of today the light time far outstrips the night time. We have even had a spot of rain! But we are still in serious trouble drought wise in Melb’n (water reserves at about 30ish per cent which is 10% down on last year… Crapulence)

]]> By: Michael L http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/comment-page-1/#comment-120006 Michael L Sun, 21 Sep 2008 21:59:14 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/#comment-120006 Oh, BA, any more live chats planned? Oh, BA, any more live chats planned?

]]> By: Michael L http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/comment-page-1/#comment-120005 Michael L Sun, 21 Sep 2008 21:58:49 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/#comment-120005 I tried this in the Spring, but my cheap WalMart desk was too rickety. So I tried balancing it on my head. That worked fine. I tried this in the Spring, but my cheap WalMart desk was too rickety. So I tried balancing it on my head. That worked fine.

]]> By: Naomi http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/comment-page-1/#comment-120002 Naomi Sun, 21 Sep 2008 21:48:14 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/#comment-120002 Spring's been going pretty well, thanks XD It got to about 32 on Saturday, 27 yesterday, and should be about 30 again today :D Only about 13 right now, though. Bloody early starts. And we have gale warnings for the afternoon! (Although the severe thunderstorms should miss Sydney, damn!) Spring’s been going pretty well, thanks XD It got to about 32 on Saturday, 27 yesterday, and should be about 30 again today :D Only about 13 right now, though. Bloody early starts. And we have gale warnings for the afternoon! (Although the severe thunderstorms should miss Sydney, damn!)

]]> By: Quiet Desperation http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/comment-page-1/#comment-120001 Quiet Desperation Sun, 21 Sep 2008 21:47:57 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/#comment-120001 <i>Dr. Phil Plait, are those eggs in today’s APOD picture “Free Range”?</i> Yes. the eggs in question were, in fact, allowed to run around free. http://www.premiumparrots.com/images/running_eggs_big.jpg Dr. Phil Plait, are those eggs in today’s APOD picture “Free Range”?

Yes. the eggs in question were, in fact, allowed to run around free.

http://www.premiumparrots.com/images/running_eggs_big.jpg

]]> By: Quiet Desperation http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/comment-page-1/#comment-120000 Quiet Desperation Sun, 21 Sep 2008 21:46:01 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/#comment-120000 Er... my eggs started hovering. Is that normal? I just figured logic and proportion have fallen sloppy dead, but then the white knight was talking backwards, and the Red Queen's lost her head as I tried to remember what the dormouse said. Er… my eggs started hovering. Is that normal?

I just figured logic and proportion have fallen sloppy dead, but then the white knight was talking backwards, and the Red Queen’s lost her head as I tried to remember what the dormouse said.

]]> By: Jewel http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/comment-page-1/#comment-119991 Jewel Sun, 21 Sep 2008 19:54:00 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/#comment-119991 When I was reading your first book back in 2002 I tried standing an egg on end and was, in fact, able to do it. And it wasn't on an equinox. Here's the pic I took: http://www.jewelisms.com/wp-content/gallery/misc/standing_egg.gif :-) When I was reading your first book back in 2002 I tried standing an egg on end and was, in fact, able to do it. And it wasn’t on an equinox. Here’s the pic I took:

http://www.jewelisms.com/wp-content/gallery/misc/standing_egg.gif

:-)

]]> By: Dan Dangerously http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/comment-page-1/#comment-119989 Dan Dangerously Sun, 21 Sep 2008 19:41:16 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/#comment-119989 Phil, that is one bitchin' shirt you be wearin' in that picture. Phil, that is one bitchin’ shirt you be wearin’ in that picture.

]]> By: ccpetersen http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/comment-page-1/#comment-119988 ccpetersen Sun, 21 Sep 2008 19:29:20 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/#comment-119988 yes, Phil's method works... too bad my editors weren't that patient... but then again, the fact their eggs kept falling over was sort of poetic justice, I thought... ;) yes, Phil’s method works… too bad my editors weren’t that patient… but then again, the fact their eggs kept falling over was sort of poetic justice, I thought…

;)

]]> By: Levi http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/comment-page-1/#comment-119987 Levi Sun, 21 Sep 2008 19:28:55 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/#comment-119987 Writing upside-down is simply a matter of using some symbols from the International Phonetic Alphabet. ¡əʇsɐʍ oʇ oɓ ʇ,upıp əəɹɓəp sɔıʇsınɓuıl ʎɯ ʍouʞ oʇ ʇɐəɹɓ s,ʇı Writing upside-down is simply a matter of using some symbols from the International Phonetic Alphabet.

¡əʇsɐʍ oʇ oɓ ʇ,upıp əəɹɓəp sɔıʇsınɓuıl ʎɯ ʍouʞ oʇ ʇɐəɹɓ s,ʇı

]]> By: IVAN3MAN http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/comment-page-1/#comment-119985 IVAN3MAN Sun, 21 Sep 2008 19:10:43 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/#comment-119985 <strong>@ BethK</strong> <strong>¿sıɥʇ ǝʞıl uɐǝɯ noʎ ¡ʞɥʇǝq 'ʎɐp,ƃ</strong> @ BethK

¿sıɥʇ ǝʞıl uɐǝɯ noʎ ¡ʞɥʇǝq ‘ʎɐp,ƃ

]]> By: ABR. http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/comment-page-1/#comment-119977 ABR. Sun, 21 Sep 2008 18:14:32 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/21/eggpod/#comment-119977 Ah, as long suspected -- the Walrus may be Paul, but the eggman is Phil Plait! Ah, as long suspected — the Walrus may be Paul, but the eggman is Phil Plait!

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