Brainstorm: From boston to Ireland and Back Listen in RealAudio Email Your Comments

Dave Thurlow, Host

 
Hi, I'm Dave Thurlow from the Mount Washington Observatory. Today's Weather Notebook Brainstorm falls into the aviation category of Brainstorms. So, here we go.

Two weeks from now, I'm going to Ireland flying from Boston, can't wait. Now, Loretta, my friendly travel agent pointed out to me, that my flight will take 5 hours to get there and 6 hours to get back. Both ways are non-stop but the east to west flight is 20% longer than the west to east. Why? What's going on?

The Concorde

But wait, there's more. For extra credit, why does the Concorde take 3 hours and 45 minutes to fly from New York to Paris and the exact same time to fly back to New York? What gives?

If you have an answer, give us a call toll free at 1-888-RAIN-001 and leave your answer on the machine. That number again is 1-888-724-6001. You can also send in your answer by visiting our website at mountwashington.org. You can send us an email from there. Finally, you can even send a letter to PO Box 2310, North Conway, New Hampshire 03860.

As with any Brainstorm, if we use your response on the air, we will send you a magnificent magic weather mug.

Again, why does it take longer to fly east to west, then west to east? And for extra credit, Why can the Concorde fly from New York to Paris in back in the same amount of time?

Thanks to Producer Bryan Sejvar, Engineer Sean Doucette and Listener Services Coordinator Susan Ross Parent. Also, thanks to Subaru and the National Science Foundation.

 
Got the answer? Send us an email.