this post was submitted on 01 Jun 2026
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xkcd #3253: Sunbeam

Title text:

While weather control is typically thought of as a superpower, the unconscious ability of astronomers and astrophotographers to summon clouds is more properly classified as a curse.

Transcript:

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Source: https://xkcd.com/3253/

explainxkcd for #3253

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[–] palordrolap@fedia.io 18 points 1 week ago (2 children)

A superpower that requires that you remember which hemisphere* of the planet you're on.

In Australia, a window with such a sunbeam is north-facing, not south. The westward moving sun thus takes the sunbeam to the far table.

* Things get real funky if you're on a planet with a severe axial tilt relative to the perpendicular of its orbital plane.

[–] Viking_Hippie@lemmy.dbzer0.com 31 points 1 week ago (3 children)

requires that you remember which hemisphere of the planet you're on

Tbf, that's not really asking much.

Not to brag, but most of the time, I'm even aware of which COUNTRY I'm in!

[–] jaybone@lemmy.zip 9 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Sometimes I forget what planet I’m on.

[–] Sirius006@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 week ago

You should not worry remembering this one's name. It will be inhabitable soon anyway.

[–] Nurgus@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago
[–] talentedkiwi@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 week ago

So that's why I see flags everywhere (cars, houses, hats, etc. ). People seem to forget which country they're in.

[–] echodot@feddit.uk 6 points 1 week ago

Things get real funky if you're on a planet with a severe axial tilt relative to the perpendicular of its orbital plane.

Oh I hate that. You're wondering long mind in your own business and then suddenly, Uranus