explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

Talk:3243: Crystal Gazing

2026-05-08T20:59:25Z

174.20.245.60:

F1RST P0ST!!--[[Special:Contributions/158.123.138.25|158.123.138.25]] 17:52, 8 May 2026 (UTC)

Why is it "vale of fire" instead of "veil of fire"? [[Special:Contributions/174.20.245.60|174.20.245.60]] 18:06, 8 May 2026 (UTC)
:"vale" is a poetic term for a valley. [[User:Barmar|Barmar]] ([[User talk:Barmar|talk]]) 19:06, 8 May 2026 (UTC)
:: That is indeed the definition, but seems less appropriate than "veil" which has the connotation of blocking/obscuring.[[Special:Contributions/174.20.245.60|174.20.245.60]] 20:59, 8 May 2026 (UTC)

Talk:3243: Crystal Gazing

2026-05-08T20:59:07Z

174.20.245.60:

F1RST P0ST!!--[[Special:Contributions/158.123.138.25|158.123.138.25]] 17:52, 8 May 2026 (UTC)

Why is it "vale of fire" instead of "veil of fire"? [[Special:Contributions/174.20.245.60|174.20.245.60]] 18:06, 8 May 2026 (UTC)
:"vale" is a poetic term for a valley. [[User:Barmar|Barmar]] ([[User talk:Barmar|talk]]) 19:06, 8 May 2026 (UTC)
: That is indeed the definition, but seems less appropriate than "veil" which has the connotation of blocking/obscuring.[[Special:Contributions/174.20.245.60|174.20.245.60]] 20:59, 8 May 2026 (UTC)

Talk:3243: Crystal Gazing

2026-05-08T20:58:45Z

174.20.245.60:

F1RST P0ST!!--[[Special:Contributions/158.123.138.25|158.123.138.25]] 17:52, 8 May 2026 (UTC)

Why is it "vale of fire" instead of "veil of fire"? [[Special:Contributions/174.20.245.60|174.20.245.60]] 18:06, 8 May 2026 (UTC)
:"vale" is a poetic term for a valley. [[User:Barmar|Barmar]] ([[User talk:Barmar|talk]]) 19:06, 8 May 2026 (UTC)
: That is indeed the definition, but seems less appropriate than "veil" which has the connotation of blocking/obscuring.

3243: Crystal Gazing

2026-05-08T18:12:49Z

174.20.245.60: /* Transcript */ first draft

{{comic
| number = 3243
| date = May 8, 2026
| title = Crystal Gazing
| image = crystal_gazing_2x.png
| imagesize = 281x397px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = 'Beyond that lies a vale of fire through which my vision cannot penetrate' is the kind of fun thing geologists, heliophysicists, and early universe cosmologists have a lot of opportunities to say.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created recently. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

A character in wizard garb with long beard and hair talks to Cueball. To the left of the wizard is a chart with two lines intersecting.

"By gazing into my crystals of zircon, I have divined the date of the hour of fire marking the limit of this world's existence.

4.54 billion years ago, the beginning was nigh!"

Text below comic: Geochronologists are just reverse prophets of doom.

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>

Talk:3243: Crystal Gazing

2026-05-08T18:06:41Z

174.20.245.60:

Talk:3243: Crystal Gazing

2026-05-08T18:06:21Z

174.20.245.60: