Pitch drop experiment

Computer Help and Discussions The Lounge
1

If you have nothing else that's urgent you could always spend a couple of years watching this experiment.

In 1927 Professor Parnell heated a sample of pitch and poured it into a glass funnel with a sealed stem. Three years were allowed for the pitch to settle, and in 1930 the sealed stem was cut. From that date on the pitch has slowly dripped out of the funnel - so slowly that now, 83 years later, the ninth drop is only just forming.

In the 83 years that the pitch has been dripping no-one has ever seen the drop fall. If you're interested in trying your luck, or at least just having a look at the experiment, you can watch the live view below

http://smp.uq.edu.au/content/pitch-drop-experiment

I watched the live cam with the realtime clock beside it and could see the reflections of people passing in the glass.

Not a drop fell while I watched :(

2

I've been dropping in on that thing for an age now and haven't seen a drop either.

3

Ah yes, I've read about this before. Apparently the last time it dropped, there was a problem with the camera recording it.

4

I'll go to that site right after the grass grows and the paint dries.

5

I watch it while files download at a blistering 28 kbs on ATTs dsl connection. So will probably see the next drop. :P

6

The 9th drop has touched down.

http://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2014/04/pitch-drop-touches-down-%E2%80%93-oh-so-gently

The 10th watch has begun. 

http://www.thetenthwatch.com/

:)

7

Great news login !!!

Looking forward to the next drop :lol:

The Tenth Watch would make a great name for a movie wouldn't it?

8

And we now return you to our regular programming, the fast-paced and exciting new show coming to you live from driveways, parking lots, and junkyards all over the world. Ladies and gentlemen, please join us and spend the next hour "Watching Cars Rust". -_-

9

I believe there is also a live feed of a light bulb in an American fire house that has burned continually for the past 100'ish years.

Thank God the internet was invented so people could find a reason to use it for this sort of thing...

10

And we now return you to our regular programming, the fast-paced and exciting new show . . .

Hold on to your hats, there is an even more riveting video from Dublin here: :) 

http://www.nature.com/news/world-s-slowest-moving-drop-caught-on-camera-at-last-1.13418
11

I can rest easy now that I have seen that login, the suspense was riveting.

Cannot wait for the next one :)