Neil deGrasse Tyson blames Seahawks’ loss on Earth’s rotation
Oct 12, 2015, 8:39 AM | Updated: 9:23 am
Bengals kicker Mike Nugent's game-winning field goal in overtime was good, thanks to Earth's rotation, according to astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. (AP)
(AP)
The Seahawks can blame the universe for their loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
Bengals kicker Mike Nugent’s game-winning field goal in overtime was good, thanks to Earth’s rotation, according to astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Today's @Bengals winning OT field goal was likely enabled by a 1/3-in deflection to the right, caused by Earth’s Rotation.
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) October 11, 2015
Nugent’s kick barely made it, hitting the goal post and bouncing in.
In the N. Hemisphere, Earth’s Coriolis force deflects airborne north-south projectiles to the right. About 1/2-in per 50 yds.
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) October 11, 2015
If the stadium’s orientation was more north-south, the Seahawks would have had another shot at scoring in overtime, according to Neil deGrasse Tyson’s calculations.
The @Bengals stadium isn’t oriented exactly North-South. And the field goal was 42-yds. Yielding a 1/3-in deflection, not 1/2
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) October 11, 2015
Maybe the Seahawks should think about hiring their own astrophysicist for future road games. Hopefully, the stars have aligned on Oct. 18 when the Seahawks go up against the undefeated Carolina Panthers at CenturyLink Field.
