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Someone posted to a mailing list I'm on, with the header "A strange request."
Somewhat gingerly, I opened it. It began with an apology, explaining that zie didn't know where else to look.
The problem turned out not to be embarrassing or personal: the poster needed to know how much direct sunlight any given point on the Moon would get, and was confused by phases of the Moon and Earth-centered references to the "dark side" and the like.
I sent a basic answer, starting with the assurance that "the problem is simpler than it looks," and pulled out my Solar System atlas to check the length of a lunar day, and the Moon's axial tilt. Throw in a warning about shadows, and voila! One problem solved, and a generous thank-you in my mailbox today.
I'm particularly pleased because I'm way behind on the mail for that list, and it's nice to be contributing something useful. Even, or perhaps especially, for someone I don't know at all.
Somewhat gingerly, I opened it. It began with an apology, explaining that zie didn't know where else to look.
The problem turned out not to be embarrassing or personal: the poster needed to know how much direct sunlight any given point on the Moon would get, and was confused by phases of the Moon and Earth-centered references to the "dark side" and the like.
I sent a basic answer, starting with the assurance that "the problem is simpler than it looks," and pulled out my Solar System atlas to check the length of a lunar day, and the Moon's axial tilt. Throw in a warning about shadows, and voila! One problem solved, and a generous thank-you in my mailbox today.
I'm particularly pleased because I'm way behind on the mail for that list, and it's nice to be contributing something useful. Even, or perhaps especially, for someone I don't know at all.
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