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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | ''{{w|New Horizons}}'' is a NASA mission launched | + | {{incomplete|New page}} |
− | + | ''{{w|New Horizons}}'' is a NASA mission launched on 2006 to study the dwarf planet {{w|Pluto}} and its moons. Its closest approach to Pluto will be on July 14, 2015 [http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/newhorizons/main/index.html]. In April and May 2015, it captured the first images of Pluto with enough resolution to see some details on Pluto's surface [http://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-s-new-horizons-sees-more-detail-as-it-draws-closer-to-pluto]. These images are similar to the second pane of the comic, with Pluto shown as a gray dot only a few pixels across. | |
− | + | ''{{w|Dawn (spacecraft)|Dawn}}'' is a NASA mission launched in September 2007 to study the protoplanets {{w|4 Vesta|Vesta}} and {{w|Ceres (dwarf planet)|Ceres}}. Its closest approach to Vesta began on July 16, 2011 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawn_(spacecraft)#Vesta_approach]. | |
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A {{w|Gravity assist|slingshot maneuver}} is a technique where a spacecraft is maneuvered or accelerated with the help of a gravitational field. In the comic, presumably someone named Steve made the calculations for the New Horizons spacecraft to accelerate toward Pluto using {{w|Jupiter}}'s gravity. | A {{w|Gravity assist|slingshot maneuver}} is a technique where a spacecraft is maneuvered or accelerated with the help of a gravitational field. In the comic, presumably someone named Steve made the calculations for the New Horizons spacecraft to accelerate toward Pluto using {{w|Jupiter}}'s gravity. | ||
− | + | Distances from the Sun (semi-major axis): Earth (1.00 {{w|Astronomical unit|AU}}); Vesta 2.36 AU; Ceres 2.77 AU; Jupiter 5.20 AU; Pluto 39.26 AU; The day of publication of this comic ''New Horizons'' was at 0.34 AU from Pluto and 32.55 AU from the Sun [http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/Mission/Where-is-New-Horizons/index.php]. | |
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− | + | In the first panel we see Cueball and Ponytail standing in front of a large computer monitor, waiting for ''New Horizons'' to approach Pluto, turn communications on, and give them their first image of the planet's surface. Apparently Steve miscalculated the Jupiter slingshot maneuver, leading the probe to slingshot back towards Earth instead of towards Pluto. Needless to say, this is a huge embarrassment, especially in front of the successful ''Dawn'' team, who were the first to get a probe to visit a dwarf planet. | |
− | + | The title text suggests the team is considering crashing the probe into Steve's house as punishment for his errors. | |
− | + | This is likely the same Steve from [[809: Los Alamos]] (set in 1945), given the similar contexts. If so, his calculations may be even more erroneous due to senile dementia. | |
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
− | :[Cueball and Ponytail are standing in front of a large computer console. Cueball's hands are on the keyboard; both are looking at the screen.] | + | :<nowiki>[</nowiki>[[Cueball]] and [[Ponytail]] are standing in front of a large computer console. Cueball's hands are on the keyboard; both are looking at the screen.<nowiki>]</nowiki> |
:Cueball: We made it! After all these years, ''New Horizons'' is finally revealing the surface of Pluto! | :Cueball: We made it! After all these years, ''New Horizons'' is finally revealing the surface of Pluto! | ||
:Ponytail: Take ''that'', ''Dawn'' team. | :Ponytail: Take ''that'', ''Dawn'' team. | ||
− | :[In the next four frames, we see photos, entirely black except for a circle in the middle. The circle is initially small, indistinct and appears in shades of grey | + | :<nowiki>[</nowiki>In the next four frames, we see photos, entirely black except for a circle in the middle. The circle is initially small, indistinct and appears in shades of grey; the successive circles are larger showing more color and shade variation. In the last, we see a blurry but recognizable outline of Africa, the Middle East and part of Western Asia, along with some clouds. The lighting pattern suggests that it is daytime in Africa, sometime in the northern summer.<nowiki>]</nowiki> |
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:Cueball: OK, who did the calculations for the Jupiter slingshot maneuver? | :Cueball: OK, who did the calculations for the Jupiter slingshot maneuver? | ||
:Ponytail: (facing away from the computer console) Dammit, Steve... | :Ponytail: (facing away from the computer console) Dammit, Steve... | ||
{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
+ | <!-- Include any categories below this line. --> | ||
[[Category:Comics with color]] | [[Category:Comics with color]] | ||
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | ||
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]] | ||
− | [[Category:Space | + | [[Category:Space]] |