this post was submitted on 28 Jul 2025
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xkcd #3121: Kite Incident (infosec.pub)
submitted 5 days ago by xkcdbot@lemmy.world to c/xkcd@lemmy.world
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xkcd #3121: Kite Incident

Title text:

Detectives say the key to tracking down the source of the kites was a large wall map covered in thumbtacks and string. 'It's the first time that method has ever actually worked,' said a spokesperson.

Transcript:

Transcript will show once it’s been added to explainxkcd.com

Source: https://xkcd.com/3121/

explainxkcd for #3121

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[–] criticon@lemmy.ca 7 points 5 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (2 children)

The jet steams are above the equator, so they would be smaller

Edit: above as in northern or southern latitudes

[–] kayzeekayzee@lemmy.blahaj.zone 11 points 5 days ago (2 children)

I assume you meant to say they're not above the equator, which I didn't actually know until now.

We can find the new length by simply multiplying the equator total by cos(latitude), since circumference is linear to radius.

For subtropical jet streams, latitude is around +/-30 degrees, so our adjusted price comes out to around $950k.

For polar jet streams, the latitude is around +/-60 degrees, bringing the price to $555k.

Extra note: The jet streams can reach speeds of >100mph, so I don't think our poor little toothpick and plastic film kites will survive!

[–] criticon@lemmy.ca 1 points 4 days ago

Yes, meant not on the equator, above as in northern (or southern)

[–] Deebster 1 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

I think OP means it's above on a map, i.e. north, like how the Mediterranean is above Africa.

Edit: to head off any pedants: there are jet streams in the south too, but the point was that the length would be less than Earth's circumference (plus xkcd comics seem to be set in north America).