Mystery Class Update: April 9, 2004

Today's Report Includes:

• One Week and Counting: Got Questions?
• Time Slipping Away? Discussion of CQ #4
• Find Anything "Eggciting"? Discussion of CQ #5
• Old Folklore: Expert Eqquinox Discussion
• This Week's Sunrise/Sunset Times
• CLUES From Your Mystery Friends
• Important Rules For Preparing Your Answer
• Clues Calendar: Plan Ahead and Mark Your Calendars

Next Friday, April 16, along with the final set of clues, we'll also post the very important instructions and rules on how to submit your Mystery Class answer. (Teachers, to give you a head start on these instructions we're including an advance copy for you below.)

Got Questions?
As always, feel free to check out the Mystery Class FAQ page with any questions:

• Mystery Class FAQ's

The correct answer didn't slip by Groups 3 and 7 from St. John's Greek Orthodox School, or NAES Groups 5, 2 and 1 from Barb Daniels' classes, all of whom correctly noticed and reported that Daylight Savings Time had come into effect.

As a result, both locations experienced a one hour adjustment or shift in their times from the prior week. After weeks of having the sunrise time grow earlier each week, suddenly the sunrise seemed to dramatically "slip" later by almost an hour, and so did the sunset. Why? All because daylight savings time started at these locations.

Why didn't this shift affect the photoperiod? Because the one hour shift affected both sunrise and sunset equally. More importantly, however, is the fact that regardless of what time we say it is, the sun stays up the same amount of time. As Barb Daniels' students said:

"It doesn't change the photoperiod trend because people change their clocks, and the time on the clocks doesn't have any effect on how long the photoperiod lasts. Man can change their clock but cannot change how fast or slow the earth spins."

Please note that in the coming weeks, due to daylight savings time starting or ending, you may see similar one hour changes at other locations. Again, remember that these changes will not affect the photoperiod.

The results seemed to be unanimous in rejecting the idea that there is any cosmic balance on the equinox. Just look at these:

"After several tests and experiments, I've come to the conclusion that eggs can be balanced at any time of the year, regardless of the Vernal or Autumnal Equinox. The Equinox is not responsible for eggs standing on end. Instead, the yolk of the egg has a large effect on how the egg is balanced. Another factor in the balancing of the egg is small bumps on the bottom of the egg. These bumps are just irregularities, but they act as little legs that keep the egg balanced." Wylie, St. John Greek Group 3

"Eggs can balance on any day of the year. For most of our class it worked before and after the Equinox." Sam and Alex, St. Johns Greek Group 4

"No there is not a cosmic balance. You can balance the eggs any day or time of the year. Our class got about 4 eggs to stand up. We are trying to do this every Monday. It also helps if the egg has bumps on the bottom for balance." St. Johns Greek Group 6

"The Equinoxes have nothing to do with the balancing of the eggs. We balanced 3 eggs at the beginning of the week before the equinox and we also could balance eggs 9 days after the Equinox." Trevor and Pete, St. Johns Greek Group 2

Old Folklore
What do the experts think about this? Astronomy expert Rod Nerdahl reached the same conclusion as the students. He called this story about cosmic balance "one of the oldest pieces of seasonal folklore". Read Rod's full explanation:

• Egguinox Expert Discussion

• Link to This Week's Sunrise/Sunset Data

• Link to This Week's Clues from Your Mystery Friends

As teachers who give directions and instructions yourself, we know that you understand the importance of carefully reading and following directions. Now it's your turn! Please read and follow the directions below carefully SO THAT YOU SUBMIT YOUR ANSWERS PROPERLY.

Use this list of Instructions as a Checklist, and check it twice before sending in your answer. Good Luck!

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