Stars from the Titanic

[Rigel003]

Just watched an SBS documentary called "Unskinkable Titanic" that I recorded a few days ago and discovered an astronomical blooper. Just before the iceberg collision the crew members on watch look at the stars and one says, "Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Orion".

Now of course we all know that at 11.40pm April 14, 1912, just south of the coast of Newfoundland, Orion is long gone. Here's a Starry Night simulation of the western horizon from the correct location and time.

[Octane]

Nice work, Graeme!

Maybe email the producers of the show? :)

H

[ballaratdragons]

Picky, Picky :lol:

Good catch :thumbsup:

[Iain.k]

They must feel rather stupid right about now. :)
hahaa awesome pick up.

[Astroman]

No wonder it sank then, they were in the wrong part of the sky....

[Stardrifter_WA]

I once heard the phrase "Never let the true get in the way of a good story". Don't know who said, but it sure applies here. :D

[pixelsaurus]

William Hearst I think.

[naskies]

Maybe the doco was just emulating the James Cameron movie (http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/04/03/astrophysicist-gets-james-cameron-to-correct-the-stars-in-titanic-3d/)? ;)

[mithrandir]

If we're being picky, the presumed site where Titanic sank (where boilers are, not the bow or stern) is at 49° 56' 49" W, 41° 43' 32" N, about 2000Km from New York NY, and 740Km from Saint-Pierre Newfoundland.

Are the times they give (23:40 for the collision and 04:20 for Rose on the driftwood) in LMT, UTC+2, NDT, GMT, PDT, or something else.

[stephenb]

Dr. Neil is da man! Here's the direct video on You Tube... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B6jSfRuptY&feature=share

[andyc]

That might be the first recorded instance of a comedy sketch seamlessly integrated with astronomical pedantry :eyepop:

Tyson is utterly superb! If only all quality science communication and asdtronomical communication was as engaging as he is. He can join the ranks of legendary people with astronomy qualifications, though he may still rank a shade below Brian May :)