Garden Gnome Tests Earth's Gravity

sciencehabit writes "Researchers have long hypothesized that objects weigh less at Earth's equator because the planet's spin and shape lessen gravity's pull there versus at the poles. Satellite accelerometers have confirmed this, but a digital scale manufacturer decided to test things the old-fashioned way. Enter the Kern garden gnome. When placed on a scale at the South Pole, the intrepid ornament weighed 309.82 grams versus 307.86 grams at the equator, a difference of 0.6%."

This is why

[Anonymous Coward]

I buy my drugs at the North pole.

Garden Gnome Tests Earth's Gravity?

[Anonymous Coward]

So it has come to this.

Makes sense

[93 Escort Wagon]

I know that, whenever I see a garden gnome, I feel a powerful urge to use it to test gravity. Especially if there's a large asphalt or cement driveway nearby.

Re:This is why

[NicknameAvailable]

But if you bought them at the equator, you'd get a .6% discount! It's pay by weight, you know.

He's clearly high.

Re:This is why

[stoofa]

Maybe he has so many drugs in his system that he's developed a paranoid fear of gnomes and heard rumours they were gathering on the equator.

Hmm...

[xstonedogx]

Does it also test the Earth's travelocity?

(I'm so, so sorry. I'm a sick man. I need help.)

Re:Wrong units...

[PRMan]

That's why we in the US still use pounds. That way, it's always accurate.

Re:Garden Gnome Tests Earth's Gravity?

[NicknameAvailable]

http://xkcd.com/1022/ [xkcd.com]

So basically,

[Xandrax]

Garden Gnomes just showed themselves to be more important to science than Creationalists and global-warming deniers.

Re:This is why

[shugah]

I make it a rule; never buy drugs from gnomes.