NASA just shared a stunning image of a nearly perfect rectangular iceberg in Antarctica. The monolithic slab of ice, said to be floating just off the Larsen C ice shelf appears quite unnatural given the 90-degree angles. We sent our science reporter to cover the story and it was revealed that the close up photo appeared to be the size of Jamaica was in fact a 2 inch ice cube.
Operation HappyHour is a mission by NASA to document mixology around the world in order to understand how ice (thickness, location, accumulation, etc.) is affected by elements, mostly alcohol.
While scientists photograph the rectangular "iceberg" in order to justify this world tour of binge drinking, further research is being conducted. This will include investigating drinks with crushed ice as well as frozen fruit flavored cocktails. All in the name of science.
Rectangular ice cubes typically form in an ice tray of eight to twelve identical ice cubes defined with steep, nearly vertical sides and a flat plateau top, which are tabular bodies of thick ice. When popped out of the ice tray, the angles are exactly 90 degrees. Mixers, swizzle sticks and stirring winnow away the sharp edges of the ice cube and rounds it out, Billy Funt, a NASA scientist, told Renegade News.
MORE Assorted Ice Trays (via Amazon Affiliate Link, I am paid a commission on eligible sales from Amazon)
A normal process for ice is calving, the breaking off of distal ice from the larger ice cube.
NASA intends to study this calving process through Operation HappyHour as a way of measuring melting due to interactions of alcohol with the ice or maybe it's global warming. As the planet warms, more ice cubes are used and are more susceptible to calve off and splinter as they are mixed in a cocktail. NASA has been measuring alcohol levels for decades which led to great inventions such as the Buzz Aldrin, a mixture of Tang and vodka.
 |
| Buzz Aldrin cocktail |
 |
| Rocket Booster |
 |
| Moonwalk |
 |
| Galaxy Lemonade |
THIS IS A PARODY OF NEWS
