Editing 66: Abusive Astronomy
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | + | A constellation is a pattern of stars which form some sort of perceived shape in the night sky. Modern astronomy recognizes 88 unique constellations, but different cultures saw different patterns in the same night sky, going back at least as far as the Babylonians. The {{w|Pleiades}}, {{w|Orion's belt}} and the {{w|Big Dipper}} (formally known as Ursa Major) are among the most common constellations that we recognize today and are among the first taught to people with an interest in astronomy. The Big Dipper is only visible from the {{w|Northern Hemisphere}} and it can be used to help find the north pole star {{w|Polaris}} which is an aid to night-time navigation. | |
− | During planetarium tours, the tour guide will point out popular constellations and stars | + | During planetarium tours, the tour guide will point out popular constellations and stars, sometimes they will ask a question to get the audience involved in the presentation. Usually these people are big on showing the wonder of the galaxy and are all smiles, but people have bad days. The comic is presenting an especially aggressive way of introducing the constellations. A sidenote is that the Pleiades, while a famous night-sky object, is not a constellation at all; it is an open star cluster. |
− | When astronomers in the Northern Hemisphere are showing stars to people, there will frequently be someone who points to the Pleiades and says, "There's the Big Dipper!" | + | When astronomers in the Northern Hemisphere are showing stars to people, there will frequently be someone who points to the Pleiades and says, "There's the Big Dipper!" This gets frustrating about the 100th time that you encounter this error. So, this comic shows someone releasing their frustration on the mis-informed public by pointing out that what they just pointed at is actually the Pleiades. Then, pointing out that you can always locate the Pleiades by following the line of the stars in the belt of Orion. Then, pointing out the REAL Big Dipper. |
In the title text, [[Randall]] explains that he drew this comic as a line drawing on white paper, using only a pencil. The image was later inverted for publication. | In the title text, [[Randall]] explains that he drew this comic as a line drawing on white paper, using only a pencil. The image was later inverted for publication. | ||
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:[Image of the Big Dipper.] | :[Image of the Big Dipper.] | ||
:What the hell is <u>wrong</u> with you? | :What the hell is <u>wrong</u> with you? | ||
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{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
[[Category:Comics with color]] | [[Category:Comics with color]] | ||
[[Category:Astronomy]] | [[Category:Astronomy]] | ||
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