Planetary Alignment
We're going to need to modify the surface to mount it on the test stand. Which ocean basin do you like the least?
We're going to need to modify the surface to mount it on the test stand. Which ocean basin do you like the least?
This is the third in a series of comics about Ponytail inspecting Earth as if it were the client Cueball's house.
Ponytail (presumably a planetary mechanic, which is not a real thing) appears to have been inspecting a planet, which seems to be the Earth, as if it were a vehicle. She is informing Cueball of the results, as if he were the owner of the planet.
According to her, the planet needs to be re-aligned, as the magnetic and rotational axes of the planet are 400 miles (640 km) offset from each other. She claims that this could create a number of problems with the planet, such as unbalanced magnetic fields. This is presented in the same casual manner as a car mechanic might regarding wheel alignment, or perhaps even the tire balance. Earth's magnetic alignment does change (both gradually drifting and relatively sudden reversals), but not for any reasons that can be compared to typical vehicle maintenance issues.
Ponytail mentions radiation anomalies over the South Atlantic ocean. This is a real phenomenon, known as the South Atlantic Anomaly, where satellites experience increased malfunctions because solar radiation is higher than average, due to the alignment of the magnetic field, as well as a massive rock structure underneath Africa.
In the final panel, Ponytail says that they will provide a loaner planet while Earth is in the shop. This is typically done with vehicles, not planets,[citation needed] but perhaps this particular shop has a very large back room. Ponytail then asks if a gas giant is okay, as they are out of solid surface planets. This is likely alluding to the practice of car dealerships offering replacements or loaner vehicles that are very different from those brought in for service, which can greatly frustrate and inconvenience the customer.
The title text continues the mechanic metaphor, stating that they (the shop) will have to modify Earth to fit it on the test stand, asking Cueball which ocean basin he likes the least, implying that they intend to remove or alter one of the Earth's oceans to mount it for adjustment and retesting.
This is the second comic in recent history with the word "Alignment" in the title, with 3177: Chessboard Alignment being the first.