Comments on: Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnt!!!!

By: Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays - Bad Astronomy and Universe Today Forum

Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays - Bad Astronomy and Universe Today Forum — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:31:16 +0000

[...] my psychiatrist asked me what the proper greeting was for a Pagan at this time of year. And? The BA appears to have taken to wishing everyone a cheerful Newtonmas, since Newton was born on December 25 (Old [...]

By: Mike Torr

Mike Torr — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:46:09 +0000

Thank you IVAN3MAN. I can only assume that you agree Newton was born on Dec 25th, though it’s far from clear :\

If somebody adjusted our calendar right now so as to move my birthday by a week or two, I wouldn’t go back and alter all my diary entries to say “oops, celebrated my birthday on the wrong day again”. So I don’t see why we should do that to poor old Isaac!

By: billsmithaz

billsmithaz — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:40:10 +0000

SO many Shatnerisms from that movie! One of my faves:

Still! Old! Friend!

By: Joe Meils

Joe Meils — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:22:23 +0000

It would be cool if the figure had a “Kung Fu Toupee”… (Or if you pressed the button on it’s back twice, and it said, “Denny Krane!”

Seriously, how come they keep putting out these action figures, but they can’t be bothered to put out some decent, well detailed toys of the space station from that movie… or a bust of Baylock from the Corbomite Manuver, or the rebel blockade runner from Star Wars, or…

By: Charles Boyer

Charles Boyer — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:01:10 +0000

The Khaaaan link takes you to a moment that is perhaps William Shatner’s finest moment as an actor.

By: IVAN3MAN

IVAN3MAN — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:30:53 +0000

Sir Isaac Newton, FRS (Gregorian: 4 January 1643 – 31 March 1727 [Julian: 25 December 1642 – 20 March 1726]). At Newton's birth, Gregorian dates were ten days ahead of Julian dates: thus Newton was born on Christmas Day, 25 December 1642 by the Julian calendar, but on 4 January 1643 by the Gregorian. By the time he died, the difference between the calendars had increased to eleven days.

Britain and the British Empire (including the eastern part of what is now the United States) adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1752, by which time it was necessary to correct by 11 days. Wednesday, 2 September 1752 was followed by Thursday, 14 September 1752 to account for 29 February 1700 (Julian).

By: Chuck

Chuck — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:14:44 +0000

I too had not heard of Newtonams, so I Wiki’ed it, here’s what I found:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newtonmas

It’s been deleted! I smell conspiracy!