(Almost) too much information...

I didn't know that "the J2 bulge" refers to the oblateness of the Earth at the equator. (The related "J3" is associated with the Earth's pear shape, but that information came free with the scoop about "J2.")

And it would appear that the significance of J2, at least as far as my immediate need to know is concerned, is that atmospheric layers are about 13 km higher at the equator than they are at, say, 51.6° N.

Which is something to consider if you're considering a long, shallow entry into our planet's atmosphere.

Mind you, not that I'm planning anything of the sort, any time soon. :^)

Cheers...

UPDATE: Today is the first time I've heard of an "additional liability company," too!

Work between sessions on hold...

Besides all the crazy new stuff I learned about today, I (and Galina) spent a whole lot of time on hold today, with the record of the day belonging to Bank of America, on a phone call that burned almost exactly an hour of time (most of it on hold).

Then there was the other call, to a mortgage company, that had me talking about filing a fraud claim with our bank ("Hey, our bank says they paid you, twice, and you say have no record of the second payment?") until a "supervisor" was summoned, who—mirabile dictu—found a record of our second payment and promised to Do The Right Thing™. (How it is that two payments went out is a separate tale, not entirely suitable for mixed company or within earshot of impressionable children.)

In other news, my mood was soured by a rather lackluster despeckle I did on a short-turnaround job this morning. After apologizing to all involved, I was reminded by my client that I should "proceed from the assumption that nobody is perfect," to which I replied:

I keep trying to, but... nobody's perfect, y'know? :^)

I've got to go decompress...