The Existence of the Equator

Posted by Phin Upham

Have you ever wanted to know everything there is to know about the equator? Although we can’t actually see it, the “imaginary circle around the Earth”, or the equator, does exist. How do we know this? In the article “Zero Latitude,” by Jamie Malanowski, the writer lists different ways that we can prove that the equator exists, even if we can’t “see it, touch it, smell it, taste it or slap a Nike logo on it.” One of the ways to know that you’ve crossed the equator is to flush the toilet. If earlier on your trip the water went down the drain counterclockwise, and now it is going down clockwise, then you know you’ve crossed the equator at one point during your travels.

The article goes on to describe other phenomenon that is “there, but not there.” A funny example is about the president of “Ecuador (on the equator at latitude o°30’S, longitude 78°26’W), has called Mein Kampf his favorite book.” The author adds, “He’s there, but clearly he’s not all there.”

The article is very interesting and comical. However, it keeps going back to the equator, and describes the many ways people have been affected by it, what some people think about it, and even some interesting customs related to crossing the equator. It’s a fun read. In the end, like the equator, the writer comes back full circle and somehow ties his article to the swimsuit issue of Sports Illustrated.

Read entire article: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1012026/index.htm