Friday 7 February 2014

The middle of the World

Today we went for a tour around Quito and started it at the Museo inti nan in situ to see where the Southern Hemisphere meets the Northern Hemisphere at the Equator. The Museum was so much better than I had expected. The guide demonstrated  a couple of interesting facts about the Equator. The pull of gravity is different if you are standing directly on the Equator. Walking in a straight line toe to heel proved almost impossible. Yet stand either side of the Equator and it isn't a problem.


The water flows directly through the plug hole when it was on the Equator



However it flowed clockwise when the bowl was moved to the Southern Hemisphere and anti clockwise when the bowl was placed in the Northern Hemisphere.





Lily and myself standing astride the Equator with one foot in each hemisphere




10 comments:

  1. How interesting. I did not know that gravity was different on the equator. Looks like the weather is quite beautiful.

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  2. The plug hole water rotation is a myth, and nicely played by the locals, it seems. I'm afraid I am also doubtful about the gravitational pull, but what fun!

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    1. Have to disagree with you on that one. The toilet flushing is a myth but there was no doubting the difference when that large bowl of water was place exactly on the line of the Equator.

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  3. That is interesting, I didn't know those facts, funny to see.

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  4. That is tremendously interesting! I am so glad you are taking me along with you, even if it's only virtually, I'll enjoy every post! :-)

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  5. I had no idea about any of that. Fascinating. Keep the fun facts coming.

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  6. That must have been a strange feeling .... standing on the centre of the earth,

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  7. I sort of remember learning that a hundred years ago in Geography class (sort of). Good to see the phenomona illustrated so well. Have fun!

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  8. I wondered if it was true but I would say this is proof. Glad you are having fun.

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  9. Enjoying a great journey to a new part of the world with you again!

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