Not only is the clockwise direction of clocks resultant from civilization arising in the Northern Hemisphere first, but “up” in space may be influenced by that too.
Gravity in low Earth orbit is only about 4% to 6% less than at Earth’s surface. Earth-orbiting astronauts are weightless for the same reasons that riders of a free-falling amusement park ride or a free-falling elevator are weightless. They are weightless because there is no external contact force pushing or pulling upon their body. In each case, gravity is the only force acting upon their body.
When we watched the most recent season of Picard, the husband mentioned that whenever you see a scene in a sci-fi show or movie where a bunch of spaceships get together, they’re all always oriented the same way up — and they probably shouldn’t be. Now I can’t get that idea out of my head whenever I see a scene like that.
I think it will be a convention that all ships up to a certain really inconvenient size will orient the same way as a courtesy. It probably won’t be an issue. Direct views outside will not be a major feature of advanced spacecraft.
Bilan over 1 year ago
Okay, so there’s no intelligent life out there either.
David_the_CAD over 1 year ago
Orientation relative to the nearest gravitational mass.
Ratkin Premium Member over 1 year ago
Busted!
Ermine Notyours over 1 year ago
The stronger gravitational field from the R. U. Sirius is affecting the smaller craft.
Ermine Notyours over 1 year ago
Not only is the clockwise direction of clocks resultant from civilization arising in the Northern Hemisphere first, but “up” in space may be influenced by that too.
Zykoic over 1 year ago
There’s Starbucks in intergalactic space? Nooowayyy!
Gent over 1 year ago
There is always a up and down. However it your choice to call which one up and which one down.
phritzg Premium Member over 1 year ago
I’m pretty sure I don’t want to see what kind of mess is in that saucer’s bathroom.
Doug K over 1 year ago
Maybe this encounter is being faked. Maybe Brewster is not even really in space. Maybe we really didn’t land astronauts on the moon.
LawrenceS over 1 year ago
I asked the question a couple weeks ago… Wonder if I could have provided an inspiration??
Probably not… But in my own mind I might give myself the credit anyway. Hey, there are people with crazier self delusions.
freewaydog over 1 year ago
Wait Brewster is actually smart today? :P
geese28 over 1 year ago
The cleanliness of your feelings is no match for the mess of reality
Radish... over 1 year ago
Well that’s a downer.
Steverino Premium Member over 1 year ago
It’s the alien’s fault. The cup wasn’t in a saucer.
oakie817 over 1 year ago
ka-splorch
snowedin, now known as Missy's mom over 1 year ago
I’m surprised that Brewster figured that out on his own.
blakerl over 1 year ago
Gravity in low Earth orbit is only about 4% to 6% less than at Earth’s surface. Earth-orbiting astronauts are weightless for the same reasons that riders of a free-falling amusement park ride or a free-falling elevator are weightless. They are weightless because there is no external contact force pushing or pulling upon their body. In each case, gravity is the only force acting upon their body.
cuzinron47 over 1 year ago
And the alien says, “I gotta get a better cup holder”.
Digital Frog over 1 year ago
The enemy’s gate is down.
cuzinron47 over 1 year ago
He even knows our swear words.
Trina Talma Premium Member over 1 year ago
When we watched the most recent season of Picard, the husband mentioned that whenever you see a scene in a sci-fi show or movie where a bunch of spaceships get together, they’re all always oriented the same way up — and they probably shouldn’t be. Now I can’t get that idea out of my head whenever I see a scene like that.
Stephen Gilberg over 1 year ago
When you think about it, just getting two ships in space to face each other and be close enough to talk without crashing is quite a feat.
mistercatworks over 1 year ago
I think it will be a convention that all ships up to a certain really inconvenient size will orient the same way as a courtesy. It probably won’t be an issue. Direct views outside will not be a major feature of advanced spacecraft.
eb110americana over 1 year ago
Ah, the ol’ “cup-and-saucer” gag!
David Huie Green LoveJoyAndPeace over 1 year ago
It turns out there actually is a universal orientation.
WHODATHUNKIT??
norphos over 1 year ago
The R. U. Sirius’s artificial gravity field must have extended around the saucer.
eddi-TBH over 1 year ago
Curse that artificial gravity.
DaBump Premium Member over 1 year ago
But it’s COMIC STRIP space!