Neil deGrasse Tyson explains how science helped Bengals win
By Josh Hill
The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, and Neil deGrasse Tyson says science deserves the credit.
Neil deGrasse Tyson is one of the most interesting people in science, as he’s someone who makes you feel dumb for not knowing as much as him but also makes you want to have drinks with him anyways. It’s the way he explains things and applies it to things ‘normal’ people can easily apply science to that makes him fascinating to listen to, and that was the case on Sunday.
After the Bengals beat the Seahawks in overtime Tyson went on record to say that science and not skill played a large role in the way things turned out. The kick in question was a 42-yarder that doinked in off the goal post and was the difference in overtime for the Bengals over the Seahawks.
While everyone is praising the Bengals for their 5-0 start, Tyson says that science deserves some of the credit here as well.
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
It doesn’t stop there. Tyson explains that the Coriolis effect played an instrumental role in helping the Bengals out.
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
Furthermore, Tyson breaks down the orientation of Paul Brown stadium in relation to the Earth’s axis — or something like that.
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
In the words of Bill Nye: Science rules.