1463: Altitude

2015-07-17T08:27:06Z

HonestPolitician: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 1463
| date = December 22, 2014
| title = Altitude
| image = altitude.png
| titletext = "TURN OFF THE LASER GUIDE STAR" "WHY" "STAR CATS"
}}

==Explanation==
In this comic, Randall is making fun of how {{w|Altitude sickness|oxygen deprivation}} can lead to reduced mental acuity. In this case, the mental clarity of the researchers devolves as they approach the high altitude telescope, leading to juvenile and almost intoxicated behavior. Dizziness, lightheadedness, impaired judgment, and euphoria are symptoms of oxygen deprivation, or hypoxia. Those researchers would benefit from having a written list or plan developed while they were still functioning at peak mental acuity.
Note that high altitude does not lead to severe effects as described in the comic.

[http://exoplanets.astro.yale.edu/instrumentation/iodine_cells.php Iodine cells] are used for wavelength calibrations of high-resolution RV spectra between 501 and 610 nm.

Note that the phrase "low oxygen" refers to the lower partial pressure of oxygen at altitude. The proportion of oxygen at high elevations is still approximately 2/9ths of the atmosphere, the same as at sea level. The altitude sickness is caused by lowered atmospheric pressure which leads to smaller amount of oxygen actually delivered ("pushed") into bloodstream.

The title text refers to a {{w|laser guide star}} a device for focusing telescopes by making artificial reference points in the sky. The reference points are created by shooting a powerful laser into the sky. The concern of the astronomer in the comic is that an imagined "star cat" may be attracted to the laser in the same way that [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcjB2qN0TxM cats playfully chase laser beams] projected on surfaces. Cats' reactions to laser pointers was previously explored in [[729: Laser Pointer]].

==Transcript==
:Because of low oxygen, astronomers working at high altitude telescopes may need to write down their plans ahead of time while at sea level.

:[Some astronomers are inside a sea-level research facility.]
:Astronomer #1: Ok, let's head up to the observatory.

:[The astronomers drive uphill.]
:Astronomer #1: When we reach the summit, we'll check the iodine cell and do a general calibration.
:Astronomer #2: Sounds good.

:[The astronomers have reached the high-altitude observatory.]
:Astronomer #1: My head feels funny.
:Astronomer #2: Look at those telescope domes. I hope they don't roll away.
:Astronomer #1: Maybe we should tape them down.

:[The astronomers are inside one of the domes.]
:Astronomer #1: Haha, look at this mirror! My face is huge!
:Astronomer #2: I see your face in the telescope! I discovered you!
:Astronomer #1: Let's make out!

{{comic discussion}}

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1463: Altitude