I’m going to go way, way out on a limb and assume that anyone that has wits enough to read and comprehend these words also knows that when the temperature outside drops to a certain point that you can see your own breath.
As I child I was particularly enamored by this. While chilling (see what I did there? I kill me) and waiting for the bus on extremely frigid mornings I would pretend I was smoking a cigarette and thinking to myself how incredibly badass that must look. That, of course, was before I knew how harmful cigarettes were and that inhaling a lungful of smoke on purpose is just plain stupid. But I digress.
This morning during the long trek from my car to my office I was purposefully taking in copious amounts of air so that I could watch the “smoke” as I exhaled. There’s something I’ve always wondered about this phenomenon, however. You’re able to see your breath because the moisture in the air you exhale is quickly cooled and condenses into fog. But what I found myself wondering this morning as I “cut the cheese” on my way into work is this: can you see your own farts?
I can never turn my head fast enough to see this. Does it work the same? I’m assuming that the air escaping your ass is the same temperature as your breath since your entire body is 98.6 degrees. But is there moisture in it? Can you create fog with it? Can you leave a contrail with an extremely potent fart?
After turning to the almighty Google for assistance, since Google knows everything, I found the answer. Along with several other things about farts of which I was not aware. The answer, quite simply, is yes. I really, really want to see this happen. Who’s close enough to come over the next time it’s really cold so that we can test this?
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Every time someone mentions wanting to see their own farts, I think of the extra on the move Love Actually. I think I’ve linked you this before, but if not, and if for some reason you haven’t seen it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GsD-6LHgN90
Good luck with your experiment, haha!
Hahahahaa! I want to see this! Video!
I wasn’t able to get video. I was too busy laughing.
Aw man
Oh! I’m close enough! I can be the videographer!!
Lol
Hahahaha! Oddly enough I also want the answer. I want to see the video and I have no problem getting close, because I’m just that curious.
Lol
I hope whoever helps with your experiment surveys what you ate before they get to close!!
Well, a proper experiment would of course include beans.
Ah, the joys of living in Canada. Maybe I’ll see the blue flame from here? Kinda like Northern Lights, but far more foul and sinister.
Um, I won’t be lighting them. Just seeing if you can actually see them like you can your breath. Of course, if you search the comments somebody has already responded that this has happened to them.
I guess it makes sense. Thank you for making me think of this scientific phenomenon.
Curiosity killed the cat, right? Let’s see how many lives it actually has.
Keep me posted.
Hahaha. I just might.
I tried to interest my son in science when he was little, so I made him do a summer research project on farts. He got all his friends involved and they had a blast. Not a one of them is going into science, though. Sigh.
Haha. Not all science is this fun.
That’s what drunken comrades are for, Twindaddy
Hmmmm…THERE’S an idea.
I once worked with a group of people whose habit was to take a brisk walk every day after lunch. One day, I was having some… let us say digestive issues. It was really cold that day… I was walking in front of the others… Yeah. Hilarity ensued.
Well now, thank you for bringing up such a painful memory. Next time why don’t you just give me a paper cut and pour lemon juice on it?
Hmmm…that sounds like fun, too. So you have seen (or experienced, rather) this phenomemon and know it to be true? Interesting.
As the laughter from my co-workers indicated, yes – they saw something. The circumstances were perfect – My jacket ended at my waist, I was wearing thin dress pants, and the wind was in my face.
Ha! That’s awesome!
You’ve taken me back, buddy! Thanks!
Uh, back to what?
My childhood breathing habits, of course!
Oh…hahahahaha. I think we all did that, didn’t we?
I’m trying to determine if there’s any way to go outside and test this without being noticed.
Eh, as long as you’re having fun who cares??
My co-workers might.
Then they’re no fun.
Pretty much, but I’m too new here to get caught and forever be known as the “weird farting guy.”
But think of what great blog fodder that would be.
Yeah, I witnessed that once. Hysterical. Personally I always liked watching football in the cold months when someone would come off the field and take their helmet off and their head would be steaming. Also I once read that in the arctic it’s so cold that when you breathe you hear your breath hit the ground as ice. Can you imagine an ice fart? Would that be shitting?
Ice shit? Weird.
This sounds like my dog Trina who each time she farts will turn around and look as if a car just back fired behind her. Some times it is so loud that she yelps as if it has scared her… Just don’t try a bare butt in the cold…you might get frost bite in a place that will not be pleasant…not that frost bite anywhere would be pleasant….
Frozen butt cheeks, huh? There are definitely unforeseen perils involved in this important quest for answers.
Keep the family jewels warm while attempting this please
I supposed I have a stocking somewhere which I could enlist to assist with that.