A Conversation for SEx - Science Explained
Why is the Earth's orbit of the Sun, elliptical?
Hoovooloo Posted Jan 4, 2012
I once whiled away an hour or so working out precisely when Google Earth's picture of the TV mast on Winter Hill had to have been taken. It was pretty easy to work out the time, but almost as soon as I'd done that I realised that I could also probably work out the *date*, to within a day or two, given that I could see (and measure) the shadow, and I knew both the latitude of the base of the mast and its height to a high degree of precision, if not necessarily accuracy. (Slight technical hitch in that I wouldn't know which side of the solstice the date was, so in fact even at best I could only narrow it down to two (widely spaced) days). Interesting exercise.
Why is the Earth's orbit of the Sun, elliptical?
Rod Posted Jan 4, 2012
Yes, fascinating.
I wonder when someone's going to comment on a gradual shift from leadership by physical prowess to mental prowess... priesthood ...The shift from that mental prowess to verbal prowess, evolution of the gods ... and look where it's got us
Why is the Earth's orbit of the Sun, elliptical?
Xanatic Posted Jan 4, 2012
According to the useless facts thread, Earth reaches perihelion at 01:00 UTC tonight.
Why is the Earth's orbit of the Sun, elliptical?
turvy (Fetch me my trousers Geoffrey...) Posted Jan 5, 2012
Damn. Missed it...
t.
Why is the Earth's orbit of the Sun, elliptical?
Hoovooloo Posted Jan 5, 2012
Um... it's not something you can see. (You knew that, right?)
Why is the Earth's orbit of the Sun, elliptical?
Mr. Dreadful - But really I'm not actually your friend, but I am... Posted Jan 5, 2012
I saw it. It was rubbish.
Why is the Earth's orbit of the Sun, elliptical?
Xanatic Posted Jan 5, 2012
It can't be seen, but it would be an excellent opportunity to have all of humanity exlcaim a synchronous "Wheeee!!!" like when you go around a corner on a rollercoaster.
Why is the Earth's orbit of the Sun, elliptical?
turvy (Fetch me my trousers Geoffrey...) Posted Jan 5, 2012
I knew Hoo 
Work has that effect on me sometimes.
It did cross my mind that Perihelion would make a good name for an American/Greek crooner 
Doo be Doo be Doo
"but it would be an excellent opportunity to have all of humanity exlcaim a synchronous "Wheeee!!!" like when you go around a corner on a rollercoaster." - yes and "Whooah!!" with a mass raising of arms at aphelion 6 months later!
t.
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Why is the Earth's orbit of the Sun, elliptical?
- 41: Hoovooloo (Jan 4, 2012)
- 42: Rod (Jan 4, 2012)
- 43: Xanatic (Jan 4, 2012)
- 44: Gnomon - time to move on (Jan 4, 2012)
- 45: turvy (Fetch me my trousers Geoffrey...) (Jan 5, 2012)
- 46: Hoovooloo (Jan 5, 2012)
- 47: Mr. Dreadful - But really I'm not actually your friend, but I am... (Jan 5, 2012)
- 48: Xanatic (Jan 5, 2012)
- 49: turvy (Fetch me my trousers Geoffrey...) (Jan 5, 2012)
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