this post was submitted on 19 Mar 2024
457 points (98.3% liked)

xkcd

8446 readers
151 users here now

A community for a webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
 

https://xkcd.com/2908

Alt text:

Astronomers are a little unsure of the applicability of this index, but NASA's Planetary Protection Officer is all in favor.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] [email protected] 89 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (14 children)

One of my all-time favourite facts is that solar eclipses are actually a very rare thing to happen in space. There is no reason why but our moon just happens to be the right size/distance to have this happen.

I've never seen one in person, but the next one is on the 8th of April crossing Mexico and the US. If you have the chance and are able, go check it out, if only to gloat on an internet stranger longing for his first total eclipse.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 5 months ago (6 children)

Saw one when I was 9 like 20 years ago. Still one of the coolest things I've ever seen. Definitely worth a trip if you can.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 5 months ago (1 children)

And keep in mind that the difference between a total eclipse and a partial eclipse is massive. It's worth it to find a spot that is in the line of totality.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Yep, total eclipse is metal as fuck

[–] TheRealLinga 6 points 5 months ago

I got to see one about 7 years ago. Made a whole vacation of it, and was not disappointed. In the darkness, all the birds stopped singing. And to top it off, at the motel I stayed there was a cleaning lady yelling at me to get back into my room because this was a sign from her god saying this was the end of days.

load more comments (4 replies)
load more comments (11 replies)