Wednesday, December 16, 2009

lunacy, really

According to Phil Plait, at least 90% of all murders happen within a week of either the new moon (like right this minute) or the full moon.

Amazing, really, when you think about it.

Photo by JPStanley

via Creative Commons search

on Flickr.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Really now? In the range of one week before the new moon until one week after, plus one week before the full moon until one week after? How extraordinary.

*daha*

Rev said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jeff Zawrotny said...

Only 90%?

Mary said...

Jeff: Yes. See ... oh crap, Bill didn't post here. Let me paste from facebook: "4 weeks of 7 days gives 28 days (and the Synodic Month is really 29.5 days, not 28), which leaves a day or two at the end of the month for the remaining 10%." (From my friend Bill Gawne, astronomer.) (and hi, Jeff :D )

Jeff Zawrotny said...

Hi Mary!

By my math, 28/29.5 = (roughly) 94.9%, which is why I was 90% seemed low to me.