Isn’t there one very old star map that showed Uranus as a dim star, prior to its discovery by Herschell? Thought I read that one naked-eye observation had been noticed that way.
Minutephysics has done at least 2 other collabs with xkcd before:
Would not be surprised, but have not heard of that. Possibly you’re misremembering Galileo recording Neptune as a background star in a couple of his observations of Jupiter. But that was through a telescope, albeit a small one.
In his star catalogue, John Flamsteed gave the name “34 Tauri” to what he thought was a star, but was actually Uranus. Wikipedia says the first time he spotted the object was in December 1690 (almost a century before Herschel’s discovery). He was probably using a telescope at the time, based on the other work he did.
Thank you! Pleased to know my quirky memory hadn’t made it up entirely, although it sounds like it wasn’t a naked eye observation.
I assume this is the place to discuss everything Randall Munroe, not just the xkcd comic.
Two of the more interesting people I know of sit down and have a conversation.
Ars Technica interview:
Brian
Special What if? 2 strip:
I feel like the EDC thing petered out like a decade ago, but maybe I’m just not in the loop anymore. I used to frequent CandlePowerForums to keep up with the latest Luxeon emitter modules, but now… every cell phone has a decent high-power LED in it. And my ability to carry a knife around just became less and less convenient over time. The TSA even eventually caught on to my micro key-shaped multitool:
But maybe EDC is still booming and I just lost interest.
Ooh, what’s on that multitool?
Not that I need another one: I already everyday carry a Leatherman, a Swiss Army knife, and a utility pen. But they’re fun to see.
Serrated knife, plain knife, Philips screwdriver, flathead screwdriver, eyeglass screwdriver, and bottle opener. Also useful as an awl and wire stripper. Cheap at $7, so I wasn’t too put out when the TSA seized mine, just annoyed.
It’s only slightly larger than a plain key and clips nicely onto the keychain. And the screwdrivers can apply more torque than you might expect since the folding part can rotate out 90 degrees and act as a lever.
I have the exact same one. Not stopped by TSA yet. But I don’t fly much.
11. Fornicate
Join the Mile High club
12. Masturbate
Handle the joystick
-
EXTERMINATE!
Join the Daleks.
- Expropriate
This is MY plane now!