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June 23, 2004
A Space Odyssey Error
Science-fiction movies often contain technical errors. One of the most famous of all science-fiction movies is 2001: A Space Odyssey. In the movie, astronauts discover a mysterious object—a giant slab—buried on the moon and set out to discover its origin and meaning by traveling to Jupiter.
An early scene shows a scientist shuttling from Earth to a space station aboard a Pan Am spaceliner. It's clear that the shuttle is supposed to be moving in such a way that everything within it is in zero gravity. In fact, you see a sign that says "Caution: Weightless Condition" and a floating ballpoint pen. Moreover, one of the passenger's arms is suspended in space. A uniformed shuttle attendant, wearing special "grip" shoes, walks down the aisle and retrieves the pen.
In another spaceship, now bound for the moon, the scientist is served dinner—a tray fitted with straws and pictures of different foods. The scientist sucks on a straw, then pauses. However, instead of staying in the straw, as it would in real zero gravity, the liquid slips back into the container.
It's just one little detail, but it stands out because the filmmakers went to so much trouble to create the illusion of weightlessness. They even use trick photography to show the attendant walking "upside down" in zero gravity to deliver meals to the spaceliner's crew.—I. Peterson
Have you noticed a scientific mistake in a science-fiction movie? Tell us about it. Send your example to challenge@snkids.com. Please include your first name, age, city or town, and state. If you are under 13 years old, get your parent's permission to write to us. You may be eligible to win a prize!
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