Five Ways to Justify Huge Rocks Smashing Into Earth (in Spite of
Science)
How to salvage a beloved stock science fiction plot from the cruel
ravages of applied science.
https://www.tor.com/2023/04/03/five-ways-to-justify-huge-rocks-smashing-into-earth-in-spite-of-science/
On Monday, April 3, 2023 at 9:11:49=E2=80=AFAM UTC-5, James Nicoll wrote:
Five Ways to Justify Huge Rocks Smashing Into Earth (in Spite of=20
Science)=20
=20
How to salvage a beloved stock science fiction plot from the cruel=20
ravages of applied science.=20
=20
https://www.tor.com/2023/04/03/five-ways-to-justify-huge-rocks-smashing-i= >nto-earth-in-spite-of-science/=20
It doesn't really require much justification for the smaller rocks, there a= >re lots of them, not all are identified as the review notes, and it's by no=
means super-improbable that a small one, a city-destroyer, could hit Earth=
. It's happened many times in relatively recent geological history.
I've always found the 'asteroid impactor as weapon' scenario improbable, not because it couldn't be done, but because it doesn't do anything that a nuke doesn't do more easily and cheaply, plus it takes longer.
On Monday, April 3, 2023 at 10:11:49 AM UTC-4, James Nicoll wrote:
Five Ways to Justify Huge Rocks Smashing Into Earth (in Spite of
Science)
How to salvage a beloved stock science fiction plot from the cruel
ravages of applied science.
https://www.tor.com/2023/04/03/five-ways-to-justify-huge-rocks-smashing-into-earth-in-spite-of-science/
You will be amused to know that this article is currently[1]
featured[2] in the Science section of the[3] news.google.com
newsfeed, right between "SpaceX moves Starship to launch site,
and liftoff could be just days away" and "New James Webb telescope
photo of a galaxy cluster 6 billion light years away shows a trippy >phenomenon where gravity warps spacetime"
Tony
[1] April 3, 4:45pm EDT
[2] 18th position down the list
[3] Is it "the", or just "my"? I have never entered any preferences,
but that doesn't mean they haven't auto-inferred and
auto-implemented
some, of course.
Five Ways to Justify Huge Rocks Smashing Into Earth (in Spite of
Science)
How to salvage a beloved stock science fiction plot from the cruel
ravages of applied science.
https://www.tor.com/2023/04/03/five-ways-to-justify-huge-rocks-smashing-into-earth-in-spite-of-science/
Back when I was on LJ, which was more visible to google than DreamWidth
is
begin fnord
jdnicoll@panix.com (James Nicoll) writes:
Back when I was on LJ, which was more visible to google than DreamWidth
is
DW has an account setting that's something like "tell search engines not
to index my posts". I never see anything on your DW when I google
"site:... <text>", so I figured you had that turned on.
A 60 foot diameter rock recently entered the atmosphere (10kt) and
the resulting explosion was equivalent to 400-500 kilotons TNT, which is substantially
larger than either Hiroshima or Nagasaki.
On Monday, April 3, 2023 at 12:44:58 PM UTC-6, Scott Lurndal wrote:
A 60 foot diameter rock recently entered the atmosphere (10kt) andGiven all these recent news headlines of the form: NASA *warns humanity* that giant
the resulting explosion was equivalent to 400-500 kilotons TNT, which is substantially
larger than either Hiroshima or Nagasaki.
space rock is headed in Earth's direction, even though they're absolutely certain it
closer to the Earth than three times the Moon's distance...
As opposed to merely advising such members of humanity who might have an interest
in such things - usually, a *warning* relates to something that actually poses a *threat*...
I'm surprised I haven't heard of this.
On Monday, April 3, 2023 at 9:11:49 AM UTC-5, James Nicoll wrote:
Five Ways to Justify Huge Rocks Smashing Into Earth (in Spite of
Science)
How to salvage a beloved stock science fiction plot from the cruel
ravages of applied science.
https://www.tor.com/2023/04/03/five-ways-to-justify-huge-rocks-smashing-into-earth-in-spite-of-science/
It doesn't really require much justification for the smaller rocks, there are lots of them, not all are identified as the review notes, and it's by no means super-improbable that a small one, a city-destroyer, could hit Earth. It's happened many timesin relatively recent geological history.
Now as a matter of odds, a city-destroyer would most likely hit the ocean, or a rural countryside, but that would still be problematic, esp. the latter, and even once you knew a CD was on track to strike Earth, you wouldn't be able to pin down exactlywhere with great precision until very near the impact. It's by no means a stretch for an SF story to include a city-destroyer on track to hit Earth.
I've always found the 'asteroid impactor as weapon' scenario improbable, not because it couldn't be done, but because it doesn't do anything that a nuke doesn't do more easily and cheaply, plus it takes longer. ISTM that unless you're planning world-wide effects, which requires steering a relatively big rock onto a collision trajectory and also waiting a long time for it to hit, rocks-as-weapons is the Hard Way. (If you have enough delta-V to slam a Chicxulub-size rock onto the target in a short
About the only way the world-wide-effect size rock makes sense as a weapon, ISTM, is if the attacker has lots and lots of time to wait for a rock to be in a convenient orbit, or doesn't mind waiting years or decades for the payoff, and wants to make itlook like a natural event. It might make sense then.
On Monday, April 3, 2023 at 12:44:58 PM UTC-6, Scott Lurndal wrote:
A 60 foot diameter rock recently entered the atmosphere (10kt) and
the resulting explosion was equivalent to 400-500 kilotons TNT, which is substantially
larger than either Hiroshima or Nagasaki.
Given all these recent news headlines of the form: NASA *warns humanity* that giant
space rock is headed in Earth's direction, even though they're absolutely certain it
closer to the Earth than three times the Moon's distance...
As opposed to merely advising such members of humanity who might have an interest
in such things - usually, a *warning* relates to something that actually poses a *threat*...
On Monday, April 3, 2023 at 12:44:58=E2=80=AFPM UTC-6, Scott Lurndal wrote:
A 60 foot diameter rock recently entered the atmosphere (10kt) and=20
the resulting explosion was equivalent to 400-500 kilotons TNT, which is = >substantially=20
larger than either Hiroshima or Nagasaki.
Given all these recent news headlines of the form: NASA *warns humanity* th= >at giant
space rock is headed in Earth's direction, even though they're absolutely c= >ertain it
closer to the Earth than three times the Moon's distance...
As opposed to merely advising such members of humanity who might have an in= >terest
in such things - usually, a *warning* relates to something that actually po= >ses a *threat*...
I'm surprised I haven't heard of this.
Quadibloc wrote:
On Monday, April 3, 2023 at 12:44:58 PM UTC-6, Scott Lurndal wrote:TNT, which is substantially
A 60 foot diameter rock recently entered the atmosphere (10kt) and
the resulting explosion was equivalent to 400-500 kilotons
larger than either Hiroshima or Nagasaki.
Given all these recent news headlines of the form: NASA *warnshumanity* that giant
space rock is headed in Earth's direction, even though they'reabsolutely certain it
closer to the Earth than three times the Moon's distance...might have an interest
As opposed to merely advising such members of humanity who
in such things - usually, a *warning* relates to something thatactually poses a *threat*...
This is the time of year when we are reminded that a "Tornado
Watch" is an alert to watch for tornadoes; the weather conditions
have become favorable to tornado formation.
The "Tornado Warning" is warning of an actual sighting by eye or
radar of a tornado. So using the correct word is important.
Can citizen-astronomers watch these rocks a million or more miles
out? They could pretend the press release is a notification for
folks with large reflectors or long exposure setups, or pocket
areciboes rather than being the chicken little boy who cried
wolf.
(I believe I've mentioned my brother has appointed me tech
support for the devices he gives our mom. I've had to rehearse
her in the word "notifications," as when her Echo Dot is
non-responsive, with lights chasing themselves around the rim,
she has to ask it, "what are my notifications?" to free it up.
This is how I found out the National Weather Service has
something called a "Dense Fog Advisory," which is about the
stupidest alert I can think of to tie up our electronic
communications with!")
I'm surprised you don't remember hearing about it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelyabinsk_meteor
In article <1d96eee4-5519-4e1b-b59a-25c7e2cf6295n@googlegroups.com>,
Jack Bohn <jack.bohn64@gmail.com> wrote:
Quadibloc wrote:
On Monday, April 3, 2023 at 12:44:58 PM UTC-6, Scott Lurndal wrote:TNT, which is substantially
A 60 foot diameter rock recently entered the atmosphere (10kt) and
the resulting explosion was equivalent to 400-500 kilotons
humanity* that giantlarger than either Hiroshima or Nagasaki.
Given all these recent news headlines of the form: NASA *warns
space rock is headed in Earth's direction, even though they'reabsolutely certain it
closer to the Earth than three times the Moon's distance...might have an interest
As opposed to merely advising such members of humanity who
in such things - usually, a *warning* relates to something thatactually poses a *threat*...
This is the time of year when we are reminded that a "Tornado
Watch" is an alert to watch for tornadoes; the weather conditions
have become favorable to tornado formation.
The "Tornado Warning" is warning of an actual sighting by eye or
radar of a tornado. So using the correct word is important.
Can citizen-astronomers watch these rocks a million or more miles
out? They could pretend the press release is a notification for
folks with large reflectors or long exposure setups, or pocket
areciboes rather than being the chicken little boy who cried
wolf.
(I believe I've mentioned my brother has appointed me tech
support for the devices he gives our mom. I've had to rehearse
her in the word "notifications," as when her Echo Dot is
non-responsive, with lights chasing themselves around the rim,
she has to ask it, "what are my notifications?" to free it up.
This is how I found out the National Weather Service has
something called a "Dense Fog Advisory," which is about the
stupidest alert I can think of to tie up our electronic
communications with!")
Dense fog can facilitate mass collision events, such as the
2007 one involving 108 passenger vehicles and 18 big-rig trucks
on northbound State Route 99 between Fowler and Fresno.
On 4/4/2023 7:24 AM, James Nicoll wrote:
In article <1d96eee4-5519-4e1b-b59a-25c7e2cf6295n@googlegroups.com>,
Jack Bohn <jack.bohn64@gmail.com> wrote:
Quadibloc wrote:
On Monday, April 3, 2023 at 12:44:58 PM UTC-6, Scott Lurndal wrote:TNT, which is substantially
A 60 foot diameter rock recently entered the atmosphere (10kt) and
the resulting explosion was equivalent to 400-500 kilotons
humanity* that giantlarger than either Hiroshima or Nagasaki.
Given all these recent news headlines of the form: NASA *warns
space rock is headed in Earth's direction, even though they'reabsolutely certain it
closer to the Earth than three times the Moon's distance...might have an interest
As opposed to merely advising such members of humanity who
in such things - usually, a *warning* relates to something thatactually poses a *threat*...
This is the time of year when we are reminded that a "Tornado
Watch" is an alert to watch for tornadoes; the weather conditions
have become favorable to tornado formation.
The "Tornado Warning" is warning of an actual sighting by eye or
radar of a tornado. So using the correct word is important.
Can citizen-astronomers watch these rocks a million or more miles
out? They could pretend the press release is a notification for
folks with large reflectors or long exposure setups, or pocket
areciboes rather than being the chicken little boy who cried
wolf.
(I believe I've mentioned my brother has appointed me tech
support for the devices he gives our mom. I've had to rehearse
her in the word "notifications," as when her Echo Dot is
non-responsive, with lights chasing themselves around the rim,
she has to ask it, "what are my notifications?" to free it up.
This is how I found out the National Weather Service has
something called a "Dense Fog Advisory," which is about the
stupidest alert I can think of to tie up our electronic
communications with!")
Dense fog can facilitate mass collision events, such as the
2007 one involving 108 passenger vehicles and 18 big-rig trucks
on northbound State Route 99 between Fowler and Fresno.
Not to mention how many more pedestrians get mowed down because drivers
can't see to the front end of their hoods.... I had to drive on
Interstate 5 in the California Central Valley once during a heavy fog.
I was in the far right lane, emergency blinkers on, doing maybe 30 miles
an hour because I could see more than 10 or 20 feet in front of me and
had multiple tractor-trailer rigs go past me doing at least 60.
This is how I found out the National Weather Service has
something called a "Dense Fog Advisory," which is about the
stupidest alert I can think of to tie up our electronic
communications with!")
On 4/4/2023 7:24 AM, James Nicoll wrote:
In article <1d96eee4-5519-4e1b...@googlegroups.com>,
Jack Bohn <jack....@gmail.com> wrote:
Quadibloc wrote:
On Monday, April 3, 2023 at 12:44:58 PM UTC-6, Scott Lurndal wrote: >>>TNT, which is substantially
A 60 foot diameter rock recently entered the atmosphere (10kt) and
the resulting explosion was equivalent to 400-500 kilotons
humanity* that giantlarger than either Hiroshima or Nagasaki.
Given all these recent news headlines of the form: NASA *warns
space rock is headed in Earth's direction, even though they'reabsolutely certain it
closer to the Earth than three times the Moon's distance...might have an interest
As opposed to merely advising such members of humanity who
in such things - usually, a *warning* relates to something thatactually poses a *threat*...
This is the time of year when we are reminded that a "Tornado
Watch" is an alert to watch for tornadoes; the weather conditions
have become favorable to tornado formation.
The "Tornado Warning" is warning of an actual sighting by eye or
radar of a tornado. So using the correct word is important.
Can citizen-astronomers watch these rocks a million or more miles
out? They could pretend the press release is a notification for
folks with large reflectors or long exposure setups, or pocket
areciboes rather than being the chicken little boy who cried
wolf.
(I believe I've mentioned my brother has appointed me tech
support for the devices he gives our mom. I've had to rehearse
her in the word "notifications," as when her Echo Dot is
non-responsive, with lights chasing themselves around the rim,
she has to ask it, "what are my notifications?" to free it up.
This is how I found out the National Weather Service has
something called a "Dense Fog Advisory," which is about the
stupidest alert I can think of to tie up our electronic
communications with!")
Dense fog can facilitate mass collision events, such as theNot to mention how many more pedestrians get mowed down because drivers can't see to the front end of their hoods.... I had to drive on
2007 one involving 108 passenger vehicles and 18 big-rig trucks
on northbound State Route 99 between Fowler and Fresno.
Interstate 5 in the California Central Valley once during a heavy fog.
I was in the far right lane, emergency blinkers on, doing maybe 30 miles
an hour because I could see more than 10 or 20 feet in front of me and
had multiple tractor-trailer rigs go past me doing at least 60.
Dimensional Traveler <dtr...@sonic.net> writes:
On 4/4/2023 7:24 AM, James Nicoll wrote:
In article <1d96eee4-5519-4e1b...@googlegroups.com>,
Jack Bohn <jack....@gmail.com> wrote:
This is how I found out the National Weather Service has
something called a "Dense Fog Advisory," which is about the
stupidest alert I can think of to tie up our electronic
communications with!")
A driver may encounter the dense fog very suddenly, it's clear
and then it's not. That's what the warnings are for, to give
the drivers advance notice to keep alert when driving in certain
areas (and yes, the central valley and san joaquin valleys are
both noted for sudden onset dense fog). Particularly at night.
Not to mention how many more pedestrians get mowed down because drivers
can't see to the front end of their hoods.... I had to drive on
Interstate 5 in the California Central Valley once during a heavy fog.
I was in the far right lane, emergency blinkers on, doing maybe 30 miles
an hour because I could see more than 10 or 20 feet in front of me and
had multiple tractor-trailer rigs go past me doing at least 60.
(I believe I've mentioned my brother has appointed me tech support for
the devices he gives our mom. I've had to rehearse her in the word >"notifications," as when her Echo Dot is non-responsive, with lights
chasing themselves around the rim, she has to ask it, "what are my >notifications?" to free it up. This is how I found out the National
Weather Service has something called a "Dense Fog Advisory," which is
about the stupidest alert I can think of to tie up our electronic >communications with!")
In article <u0hhkq$3fomk$1@dont-email.me>,
Dimensional Traveler <dtravel@sonic.net> wrote:
Not to mention how many more pedestrians get mowed down because drivers
can't see to the front end of their hoods.... I had to drive on
Interstate 5 in the California Central Valley once during a heavy fog.
I was in the far right lane, emergency blinkers on, doing maybe 30 miles
an hour because I could see more than 10 or 20 feet in front of me and
had multiple tractor-trailer rigs go past me doing at least 60.
(Hal Heydt)
One technique--if your nerves can take it--is to follow someone
else, regardless of how fast they're gooing. Just stay far
enough back that you *just* have solid visibility on their tail
lights. If said lights get suddenly brighter, move the shoulder
and hit the brakes.
In article <u0hhkq$3fomk$1@dont-email.me>,
Dimensional Traveler <dtravel@sonic.net> wrote:
Not to mention how many more pedestrians get mowed down because drivers >>can't see to the front end of their hoods.... I had to drive on
Interstate 5 in the California Central Valley once during a heavy fog.
I was in the far right lane, emergency blinkers on, doing maybe 30 miles
an hour because I could see more than 10 or 20 feet in front of me and
had multiple tractor-trailer rigs go past me doing at least 60.
(Hal Heydt)
One technique--if your nerves can take it--is to follow someone
else, regardless of how fast they're gooing. Just stay far
enough back that you *just* have solid visibility on their tail
lights. If said lights get suddenly brighter, move the shoulder
and hit the brakes.
On 4/4/2023 7:24 AM, James Nicoll wrote:
In article <1d96eee4-5519-4e1b-b59a-25c7e2cf6295n@googlegroups.com>,
Jack Bohn <jack.bohn64@gmail.com> wrote:
Quadibloc wrote:
On Monday, April 3, 2023 at 12:44:58 PM UTC-6, Scott Lurndal wrote:TNT, which is substantially
A 60 foot diameter rock recently entered the atmosphere (10kt) and
the resulting explosion was equivalent to 400-500 kilotons
humanity* that giantlarger than either Hiroshima or Nagasaki.
Given all these recent news headlines of the form: NASA *warns
space rock is headed in Earth's direction, even though they'reabsolutely certain it
closer to the Earth than three times the Moon's distance...might have an interest
As opposed to merely advising such members of humanity who
in such things - usually, a *warning* relates to something thatactually poses a *threat*...
This is the time of year when we are reminded that a "Tornado
Watch" is an alert to watch for tornadoes; the weather conditions
have become favorable to tornado formation.
The "Tornado Warning" is warning of an actual sighting by eye or
radar of a tornado. So using the correct word is important.
Can citizen-astronomers watch these rocks a million or more miles
out? They could pretend the press release is a notification for
folks with large reflectors or long exposure setups, or pocket
areciboes rather than being the chicken little boy who cried
wolf.
(I believe I've mentioned my brother has appointed me tech
support for the devices he gives our mom. I've had to rehearse
her in the word "notifications," as when her Echo Dot is
non-responsive, with lights chasing themselves around the rim,
she has to ask it, "what are my notifications?" to free it up.
This is how I found out the National Weather Service has
something called a "Dense Fog Advisory," which is about the
stupidest alert I can think of to tie up our electronic
communications with!")
Dense fog can facilitate mass collision events, such as the
2007 one involving 108 passenger vehicles and 18 big-rig trucks
on northbound State Route 99 between Fowler and Fresno.
Not to mention how many more pedestrians get mowed down because drivers
can't see to the front end of their hoods.... I had to drive on
Interstate 5 in the California Central Valley once during a heavy fog. I
was in the far right lane, emergency blinkers on, doing maybe 30 miles
an hour because I could see more than 10 or 20 feet in front of me and
had multiple tractor-trailer rigs go past me doing at least 60.
(I believe I've mentioned my brother has appointed me tech support for the devices he gives our mom. I've had to rehearse her in the word "notifications," as when her Echo Dot is non-responsive, with lights chasing themselves around the rim, she hasto ask it, "what are my notifications?" to free it up. This is how I found out the National Weather Service has something called a "Dense Fog Advisory," which is about the stupidest alert I can think of to tie up our electronic communications with!")
djheydt@kithrup.com (Dorothy J Heydt) writes:
In article <u0hhkq$3fomk$1@dont-email.me>,
Dimensional Traveler <dtravel@sonic.net> wrote:
Not to mention how many more pedestrians get mowed down because drivers
can't see to the front end of their hoods.... I had to drive on
Interstate 5 in the California Central Valley once during a heavy fog.
I was in the far right lane, emergency blinkers on, doing maybe 30 miles >>> an hour because I could see more than 10 or 20 feet in front of me and
had multiple tractor-trailer rigs go past me doing at least 60.
(Hal Heydt)
One technique--if your nerves can take it--is to follow someone
else, regardless of how fast they're gooing. Just stay far
enough back that you *just* have solid visibility on their tail
lights. If said lights get suddenly brighter, move the shoulder
and hit the brakes.
I once drove (in the 1980s) from Los Angeles to Las Vegas after
dark, on a freshly paved stretch of unstriped blacktop, in a heavy
downpour - followed the tail lights of the car ahead and
hoped they stayed on the highway.
In article <1d96eee4-5519-4e1b...@googlegroups.com>,
Jack Bohn <jack....@gmail.com> wrote:
(I believe I've mentioned my brother has appointed me tech support for
the devices he gives our mom. I've had to rehearse her in the word >"notifications," as when her Echo Dot is non-responsive, with lights >chasing themselves around the rim, she has to ask it, "what are my >notifications?" to free it up. This is how I found out the National
Weather Service has something called a "Dense Fog Advisory," which is
about the stupidest alert I can think of to tie up our electronic >communications with!")
(Hal Heydt)
You've never driven in the California Central Valley in a Tule
Fog. The conditions tend to produce chain reaction accidents
with upwards of 100 vehcles involved.
Dorothy J Heydt wrote:
In article <1d96eee4-5519-4e1b...@googlegroups.com>,
Jack Bohn <jack....@gmail.com> wrote:
(I believe I've mentioned my brother has appointed me tech support for
the devices he gives our mom. I've had to rehearse her in the word
"notifications," as when her Echo Dot is non-responsive, with lights
chasing themselves around the rim, she has to ask it, "what are my
notifications?" to free it up. This is how I found out the National
Weather Service has something called a "Dense Fog Advisory," which is
about the stupidest alert I can think of to tie up our electronic
communications with!")
(Hal Heydt)
You've never driven in the California Central Valley in a Tule
Fog. The conditions tend to produce chain reaction accidents
with upwards of 100 vehcles involved.
Flatlander here. Our fog could be anywhere, and, if I'm in the middle of it, as far as I can tell, it's everywhere.
With a certain local that you can report on the existence or not of a hazard I can see some sense -- we have caution signs that say "Bridge freezes before road surface" that we leave up year-round.
It just seems strange to me to warn that there may be places where you can't see, the indication of it will be that you can't see.
Dorothy J Heydt wrote:
In article <1d96eee4-5519-4e1b...@googlegroups.com>,
Jack Bohn <jack....@gmail.com> wrote:
(I believe I've mentioned my brother has appointed me tech support for >the devices he gives our mom. I've had to rehearse her in the word >"notifications," as when her Echo Dot is non-responsive, with lights >chasing themselves around the rim, she has to ask it, "what are my >notifications?" to free it up. This is how I found out the National >Weather Service has something called a "Dense Fog Advisory," which is >about the stupidest alert I can think of to tie up our electronic >communications with!")
(Hal Heydt)Flatlander here. Our fog could be anywhere, and, if I'm in the middle of it, as far as I can tell, it's everywhere.
You've never driven in the California Central Valley in a Tule
Fog. The conditions tend to produce chain reaction accidents
with upwards of 100 vehcles involved.
With a certain local that you can report on the existence or not of a hazard I can see some sense -- we have caution signs that say "Bridge freezes before road surface" that we leave up year-round.
It just seems strange to me to warn that there may be places where you can't see, the indication of it will be that you can't see.
On Wednesday, 5 April 2023 at 13:09:18 UTC+1, Jack Bohn wrote:
Dorothy J Heydt wrote:
In article <1d96eee4-5519-4e1b...@googlegroups.com>,Flatlander here. Our fog could be anywhere, and, if I'm in the middle of it, as far as I can tell, it's everywhere.
Jack Bohn <jack....@gmail.com> wrote:
(I believe I've mentioned my brother has appointed me tech support for
the devices he gives our mom. I've had to rehearse her in the word
"notifications," as when her Echo Dot is non-responsive, with lights
chasing themselves around the rim, she has to ask it, "what are my
notifications?" to free it up. This is how I found out the National
Weather Service has something called a "Dense Fog Advisory," which is
about the stupidest alert I can think of to tie up our electronic
communications with!")
(Hal Heydt)
You've never driven in the California Central Valley in a Tule
Fog. The conditions tend to produce chain reaction accidents
with upwards of 100 vehcles involved.
With a certain local that you can report on the existence or not of a hazard I can see some sense -- we have caution signs that say "Bridge freezes before road surface" that we leave up year-round.
It just seems strange to me to warn that there may be places where you can't see, the indication of it will be that you can't see.
You can see, but not so far. So, drive slower.
Stop before you hit something is a normal part
of driving. In fog you get less time for it.
If you can't see the road - that is way too much fog.
Five Ways to Justify Huge Rocks Smashing Into Earth (in Spite of
Science)
How to salvage a beloved stock science fiction plot from the cruel
ravages of applied science.
I once drove (in the 1980s) from Los Angeles to Las Vegas after
dark, on a freshly paved stretch of unstriped blacktop, in a heavy
downpour - followed the tail lights of the car ahead and
hoped they stayed on the highway.
Reminded of an old joke about someone doing that on city streets. When
they ran into the rear of the leading vehicle they wanted to know why
the lead driver hadn't used his brakes. "I was pulling into my driveway."
On 4 Apr 2023 at 14:41:46 BST, "Jack Bohn" <jack.bohn64@gmail.com>to ask it, "what are my notifications?" to free it up. This is how I found out the National Weather Service has something called a "Dense Fog Advisory," which is about the stupidest alert I can think of to tie up our electronic communications with!")
wrote:
(I believe I've mentioned my brother has appointed me tech support for the devices he gives our mom. I've had to rehearse her in the word "notifications," as when her Echo Dot is non-responsive, with lights chasing themselves around the rim, she has
We got Yellow Snow Warnings this winter. Naturally it meant "Snow
warning, grade yellow" on a scale of no-warning/yellow/red. But I liked
the phrasing and hope it was intentional.
Johnny1A wrote:
I've always found the 'asteroid impactor as weapon' scenario improbable, not because it couldn't be done, but because it doesn't do anything that a nuke doesn't do more easily and cheaply, plus it takes longer.Well, unless you already have a mass driver on the Moon you could use.
--
-Jack
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| Messages: | 5,378,181 |