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Jim McDermottApril 01, 2009

A strange, fun tidbit: the alignment of Venus and Mercury relative to Earth today creates a very slight upward gravitational pull which is actually just enough to be sensed. Many will feel a certain lightness in their step; if you get on a scale your weight will be slightly less.  And, the really cool part, if you jump into air at exactly 11:11 am this morning (EST), or at 5:37 this afternoon, you will be able to experience a very slight floating sensation. First discovered in 1937 by astronomer Sir Robert Townsley, this event actually occurs once every 587 days.  A little-known, but amazing feature of life in a solar system of planets.

Enjoy!

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16 years ago
wish I'd known this earlier, how amazing! My 8 year old would have had a great 'show and tell' with this today! Thanks Jim, I love your posts.
16 years ago
Beware the calends of April.
16 years ago
You had me going there for a second. For those people jumping up and down - APRIL FOOL!

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