Editing 1402: Harpoons
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | + | {{incomplete|Needs more work, especially the top section.}} | |
+ | Continuing a recurring theme (as seen in comics [[111: Firefox and Witchcraft - The Connection?|111]], [[231: Cat Proximity|231]], and [[323: Ballmer Peak|323]]), two unrelated but interesting objects have been juxtaposed graphically with humorous results. In this case, it's the fact that old-timey, man-made {{w|harpoon}}s (a cool word) have been placed among the equipment for a space flight (a cool concept). According to Randall, this has happened twice. | ||
− | The | + | The latter peak on this graph refers to the {{w|Rosetta (spacecraft)|Rosetta}} unmanned spacecraft. As part of its mission, it's carrying a lander (called {{w|Philae (spacecraft)|Philae}}), which has two tethers to anchor itself to the comet {{w|67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko}}. Rosetta was launched in March 2004 (as shown in the graph) and is scheduled to encounter the comet in August 2014, making this a timely comic. |
− | The | + | The first peak is probably a joke. Officially, {{w|Apollo 12}} carried neither harpoons nor rum. However, as a former NASA contractor, Randall may know more about space shenanigans than the general public, and may be implying (perhaps jokingly) that a bottle of the [http://www.harpoon-rum.eu/1.html Harpoon] brand of {{w|Rum#Regional variations|Jamaican rum}} made it aboard. More likely it's an homage to ''Calvin and Hobbes''' infamous, but never explained, "[http://calvinandhobbes.wikia.com/wiki/Noodle_Incident noodle incident]". |
− | The title text compares the Philae lander's method of deploying its tethers to | + | The title text compares the Philae lander's method of deploying its tethers to whaling, in which sailors would throw harpoons at a whale with the intent of killing the whale. It was important to throw hard so the harpoon would stick in the whale so it could not get away and would tow the whaling boat until it got tired and could be killed. |
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+ | It is implied that the spacecraft is sapient and needs a motivation to fire the harpoons hard enough to stay anchored to the comet. It has thus been programmed to believe that its mission is to kill the comet. This is a joke, as Rosetta is of course not sapient (just like the [[695: Spirit|Spirit]] isn't sapient). | ||
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
:'''Number of harpoons in space''' | :'''Number of harpoons in space''' | ||
:by year | :by year | ||
− | :[A chart with a red graph is drawn below | + | :[A chart with a red graph is drawn below] |
− | :[The y-axis | + | :[The y-axis] |
:0 1 2 3 | :0 1 2 3 | ||
− | :[The x-axis | + | :[The x-axis] |
:1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 | :1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 | ||
− | :[The graph is at zero until a sharp peak to 1 in 1970. The peak is labeled | + | :[The graph is at zero until a sharp peak to 1 in 1970. The peak is labeled] |
:Apollo 12 rum incident | :Apollo 12 rum incident | ||
− | :[The graph then stays at 0 until 2004. Then it rises to 2 and stays there until today, continuing as a dotted line after 2014. The rise is labeled | + | :[The graph then stays at 0 until 2004. Then it rises to 2 and stays there until today, continuing as a dotted line after 2014. The rise is labeled] |
:Rosetta comet mission launched carrying lander with harpoon tethers | :Rosetta comet mission launched carrying lander with harpoon tethers | ||
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{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
− | + | [[Category:Charts]] | |
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