Michael West’s Blog

Pascal pointed out something quite humorous in his opening remarks at the conference today. Keraunothnetophobia is the fear of falling satellites and it is quite apt given that Phobos’ orbit around Mars is decaying. Don’t worry though, it will take at least another 3-4 million years until it crashes into the surface of Mars and that is provided that the increasing tidal forces don’t rip the moon apart first into small pieces that will burn up as they reach Mars’ atmosphere.

Many thanks to Jared B for alerting me to ‘A Guide to Understanding Journal Phraseology‘. At last I can now understand what the authors of the papers I am reading really mean! The Guide includes such gems as…

The author writes: It has long been known.
REALLY means: I haven’t bothered to look it up.
The author writes: The 4 hour sample was not studied.
REALLY means: I dropped it on the floor.
The author writes: The 4 hour determination may not be significant.
REALLY means: I dropped it on the floor, but scooped most of it up.
This will also be useful when I come to write my thesis