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Ancient Egg Controversy Challenged this Easter!

At-Bristol science centre is calling the public to join in their national egg challenge during this Easter to prove wrong an ancient theory on egg balancing. Considered as a controversy according to science, this theory can be traced back to China and suggests that eggs can be balanced on its end on the first day of Spring!

At-Bristol’s scientists have dismissed this theory and are gathering photo evidence across the nation to challenge this theory. They are urging the public to send in their photos to prove that anyone can balance their eggs on any day if they employ the right tactics.

The controversial theory states that eggs can only be balanced on the Vernal Spring Equinox, as this is the day that gravity is ‘balanced’ – the axis of the Earth is perpendicular to the Sun, causing the Sun’s rays to hit directly on the equator. The Vernal Equinox is also commonly known as the first day of Spring.

Katy McDonald, At-Bristol’s planetarium expert says, ‘If the explanation holds true, eggs should also balance during the Autumnal Equinox. However, there’s no scientific proof at all and our challenge will therefore eliminate those experiments done during Vernal Equinox and will prove that eggs can be balanced on any other day.’

‘The Vernal Equinox has been a time of celebration for many civilisations, this might explain why the theory can be traced back to ancient China when it was believed that the balancing of eggs signified the beginning of Spring and new life.’ Katy adds.

‘There are several tactics to balance an egg, one of which is to find an egg with a bumpy, uneven bottom, shake it to help the yolk settle, then carefully place it end-up on a flat surface and try and find its centre of gravity.’ Katy says.

The public can take part in this challenge by emailing or sending At-Bristol a photo of their eggs standing on end. These photos will be gathered as evidence and will be shared publicly on the science centre’s website. The challenge begins this Easter.


For press enquiries please contact Mavis Choong, At-Bristol Press Office
0117 915 7152 / 0796 733 4152 / mavis.choong@at-bristol.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

• Public who wish to submit their photo evidence will need to indicate their name, location, date of challenge and a brief description of how they did it.  Photos are to be emailed to snaps@at-bristol.org.uk or sent to:
  At-Bristol, Egg-stronomy Investigation Team, Anchor Road, Harbourside, BS1 5DB.
  
  
• Public who wish to submit their photo evidence personally will receive a free child ticket to Explore-At-Bristol when accompanied by one full-paying adult. A photo is valid for one transaction only. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount or for Education or Group visits. Valid from 6 – 9 April 2007 only.
  
  
• For more information about this challenge public may visit www.at-bristol.org.uk.
  
  
• At-Bristol is a leading science centre in the UK and a major player in the worldwide science centre movement. It aims to be a world-class science and natural history centre that makes distinctive, valued and recognised contributions to informal science learning and public engagement with science across Europe. A registered charity, At-Bristol has hosted more than three million visits and continually strives towards making science accessible to all. www.at-bristol.org.uk (Registered charity no. 1049954)