Weird Universe Blog — November 17, 2024

Green Thunderstorms

I can't say that I've ever seen a green thunderstorm (i.e. the sky appearing to turn green during a storm), but apparently a lot of people have. The phenomenon was the subject of a 1997 PhD dissertation written by Frank Gallagher at the University of Oklahoma School of Meteorology. Gallagher wrote:

Many people around the world have observed green light apparently emanating from severe thunderstorms, but until recently there has been no scientific study of the phenomenon. Green thunderstorms have been observed from time to time in association with deep convection or severe weather events. Some skeptics who have not personally observed a green thunderstorm suggest that they are some kind of illusion.

Gallagher concluded that green thunderstorms are real:

The existence of green thunderstorms has been objectively demonstrated by recording spectra of light from thunderstorms using a handheld spectrophotometer. During the spring and summer of 1995 and the spring of 1996 numerous storms were observed and spectra of the light emanating from these storms were recorded. Observations were made both at the ground and aboard research aircraft.

And why do thunderstorms sometimes turn green?

Bohren believes that reddened sunlight in combination with filtering done by naturally blue-colored water creates green light. Given our observations, this is the most likely explanation for the green light. Our observations and calculations indicate that, depending on the microphysical parameters of the cloud, sunlight transmitted by the cloud may appear green.

A famous example in art of a green sky during a severe weather event can be seen in John Steuart Curry's 1929 painting Tornado over Kansas.



Posted By: Alex - Sun Nov 17, 2024 - Comments (3)
Category: Weather

Louise Lecavalier

The first video is about her, the other two illustrate her style. Are you down for an hour or so of this?






Posted By: Paul - Sun Nov 17, 2024 - Comments (0)
Category: Spastic, Uncontrolled, Awkward and Herky-Jerky Movements | Avant Garde | Dance

November 16, 2024

Three Ronald Legendres

When Ronald Legendre got married in 1995, his best man was also named Ronald Legendre, as was the judge who performed the service.

None of this was exactly a coincidence. The best man and groom had met years before due to having the same last name (but they were genuinely best friends), and then they deliberately sought out the judge for the wedding.

Like Ronald Legendre, I have an uncommon last name. Thanks to Google, I know there are other Alex Boeses out there, but I've never met any of them. In fact, I've never met anyone (outside of family) who shares my last name. Though I recently discovered that there's a Boese Brothers Brewery in Albuquerque. I plan to check it out next time I'm in that neck of the woods.

Athol Daily News - Aug 14, 1995

Posted By: Alex - Sat Nov 16, 2024 - Comments (2)
Category: Odd Names | 1990s | Weddings

The Calamities and Quarrels of Authors

Anyone who has ever romanticized the writing life should read this book. It's a kind of HOLLYWOOD BABYLON of its era. Disraeli pulls no punches, as seen in the excerpt below.

Find it at the Internet Archive.



Posted By: Paul - Sat Nov 16, 2024 - Comments (2)
Category: Literature | Nineteenth Century

November 15, 2024

Miss Credit Union

The earliest 'Miss Credit Union' contest I could find was in 1948. The latest was in 2011. Though I suspect some are still going on, but maybe not calling attention to themselves.

Ottawa Journal - Oct 22, 1957



Hartford Courant - Oct 26, 1960

Posted By: Alex - Fri Nov 15, 2024 - Comments (5)
Category: Awards, Prizes, Competitions and Contests | Money

Sound Patterns

Who was the market for this?





Posted By: Paul - Fri Nov 15, 2024 - Comments (3)
Category: Vinyl Albums and Other Media Recordings | 1950s | Cacophony, Dissonance, White Noise and Other Sonic Assaults

November 14, 2024

Anchovy Paste Beer

Thanks, I'll pass.

More info: instagram

Posted By: Alex - Thu Nov 14, 2024 - Comments (3)
Category: Inebriation and Intoxicants | Fish

Follies of the Madmen #611

Posted By: Paul - Thu Nov 14, 2024 - Comments (0)
Category: Health | Advertising | Space Travel | Twentieth Century

November 13, 2024

Take Me, I’m Yours

In 1971 National Airlines launched its "Fly Me" advertising campaign (see previous post). It featured stewardesses identifying themselves by their first names and declaring "Fly Me." The New York Times notes that this campaign won it "enormous animosity from many feminist organizations."

In 1976 National ended the "Fly Me" campaign and replaced it with the "Take me, I'm yours" campaign. From a feminist perspective, not a whole lot better.

The "Take me, I'm yours" campaign lasted only a year before National switched its tag line to "Watch Us Shine."



Posted By: Alex - Wed Nov 13, 2024 - Comments (2)
Category: Innuendo, Double Entendres, Symbolism, Nudge-Nudge-Wink-Wink and Subliminal Messages | Advertising | Air Travel and Airlines | 1970s

Chicken Charlie

He can be seen starting about the 45-second mark in this short video.







Posted By: Paul - Wed Nov 13, 2024 - Comments (2)
Category: Eccentrics | North America | Twentieth Century

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All original content in posts is Copyright © 2016 by the author of the post, which is usually either Alex Boese ("Alex"), Paul Di Filippo ("Paul"), or Chuck Shepherd ("Chuck"). All rights reserved. The banner illustration at the top of this page is Copyright © 2008 by Rick Altergott.

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