Stars from the Titanic

Rigel003 (Graeme) · #1 20-04-2012, 12:37 AM

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 (Humayun) · #2 20-04-2012, 12:56 AM

Nice work, Graeme!

Maybe email the producers of the show?

H

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #3 20-04-2012, 01:09 AM

Picky, Picky

Good catch

Iain.k (Iain) · #4 20-04-2012, 08:42 AM

They must feel rather stupid right about now.

hahaa awesome pick up.

Astroman (Andrew Wall) · #5 20-04-2012, 02:57 PM

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

Stardrifter_WA · #6 20-04-2012, 06:47 PM

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.

pixelsaurus (Mike) · #7 20-04-2012, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

William Hearst I think.

naskies (Dave) · #8 20-04-2012, 10:41 PM

Maybe the doco was just emulating the James Cameron movie?

mithrandir (Andrew) · #9 21-04-2012, 12:42 AM

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 (Stephen) · #10 21-04-2012, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naskies

Maybe the doco was just emulating the James Cameron movie? http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/..../winking70.gif

Dr. Neil is da man! Here's the direct video on You Tube... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B6jS...&feature=share

andyc (Andy) · #11 22-04-2012, 11:38 AM

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

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