Planetary temptation

Uranus.jpgHeadline writers (for English-language publications) wait and dream for opportunities to make puns about the name of their favorite planet. An April 6, 2006 CNN headline demonstrates why. The article of which it is part begins:

New rings found around Uranus

Thursday, April 6, 2006; Posted: 4:25 p.m. EDT (20:25 GMT) WASHINGTON (AP) — Two outer rings, one red, the other blue, have been observed around the distant planet Uranus….

The report refers to a study published in the April 7 issue of Science magazine.

[Sad note: One of the best-known, best-ever headlines — “An Annulus Around Uranus” — seems to be apocryphal.]

Improbable Research