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Re: [Phys-l] Q: Why are manhole covers round?



At 12:44 AM 5/21/2006, Cliff Parker, you wrote:
Why is a moth attracted to light? Is it because they love light and want to
bask in its glory or because they hate it and want to attack it?


Always the straight man, I will respond that when fixed lights were distant,
moving at a constant angle to them provided an economical navigation system.

Students were adjured to keep the Sun (or Moon, or visual feature) at a
constant position in the windshield) for short periods for this purpose.
Cross track error indicators, gyro compasses etc., have robbed the advice
of some force.

You see the fatal spiral in the moth's flight however.



Brian Whatcott Altus OK Eureka!