Your Jedi Mind-Trick Moment For September 12th

Michael Witig and his wife were out barbecuing when they saw something streaking through the sky. They turned on their camera and filmed it as fire and smoke billowed behind the mystery object. Not to worry, said the FAA. It was a just a jet that was leaving a contrail behind it and the sun was at just the right angle to reflect off the jet and create the illusion of smoke and fire. Of course it was. You can do this experiment in your house. Step 1. Put some bacon in a pan pointing north and light the stove. Step 2. With the sun at your back, stand at precisely 42 degrees to the left of the north-pointing bacon. Step 3. Clap your hands and shriek with delight as the bacon appears to be erupting in a trail of fire and smoke. Then, of course, a hooded figure will appear, wave his hands and say, "These aren't the pieces of bacon you're looking for" and you will forget the whole thing. But it sure beats having those Men In Black guys show up and waving a pen light in your face.