What the heck is that?! Someone please educate me!

Queen_Christine

Ok, so I'm playing around on google earth... And I'm looking at Nebraska... Ainswoth NE.... And the aireal views show all these HUGE circles in the landscape! And they're out there in the middle of NOWHERE! Scarttered all over Nebraska! What the hell are those things! Somebody please educate me!

bregalad5

Aliens.

vettle

I wondered this too once while in a plane. It's the way the watering system is and so some areas just never get water and therefore dry up in perfect circles. It's called a "centre pivot system".

UsedToBeHusky

Crop circles?

JAllen32

HAHA! I'm so glad you asked! I live in Oregon now, but I lived in Florida for several years. I saw those circles everytime I flew back and forth and have always wondered what caused them.

::waiting patiently for an educated person to answer::

Contrarian

Ringworm

wbgolden

I'd like to say aliens, too. But they told me not to say anything.

SO...it's those huge farm-sized sprinklers that are anchored to a center pivot. They water the crops in a circle, creating a big green round thing in the middle of nowhere. Completely un-related to aliens. Trust me. Just do.

billsica

Aliens.

^^^^ this

UsedToBeHusky

Ringworm

L-M-A-O!!!!

bregalad5

::waiting patiently for an educated person to answer::

:mad: :explode: :grumble: :mad: :sad:

ivyjbres

You educational wikipedia for the day:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_pivot_irrigation

mageepilot

Watering system. The watering pipe extends from a fixed center and goes around in a circle, making lovely green areas But I really prefer the alien explanation more. :glasses:

bregalad5

I'd like to say aliens, too. But they told me not to say anything.

Wait, they actually exist?! Here I was just trying to be funny in my sleep-deprived state, but I was right?! :noway:

wickedcricket

crop circles?

CoraGregoryCPA

Awesome question! I love learning something new!

ESVABelle

I feel like all the farmers kids should go out and on one of their drunken tailgating adventures, start randomly watering around the circles and make pretty aerial designs.

california_peach

I could tell you, but then I would have to have you erased.

bregalad5

I feel like all the farmers kids should go out and on one of their drunken tailgating adventures, start randomly watering around the circles and make pretty aerial designs.

Bahahaha :laugh:

UsedToBeHusky

Watering system. The watering pipe extends from a fixed center and goes around in a circle, making lovely green areas But I really prefer the alien explanation more. :glasses:

Well great! I just downloaded Google Earth to see this for myself. I'm still waiting for it to focus.:grumble:

Seriously though, I've seen those types of irrigation systems all over the country. Shouldn't there be more circles all over?

Queen_Christine

thank you! I can live with the central pivot irrigation story! it makes total sense! Now I feel a little more educated!

wbgolden

I'd like to say aliens, too. But they told me not to say anything.

Wait, they actually exist?! Here I was just trying to be funny in my sleep-deprived state, but I was right?! :noway:

NO! repeat after me: "I was not right. I was not right."

kennethmgreen

You educational wikipedia for the day:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_pivot_irrigation

Where is this machine you have to get your answers? It's like a system of interconnected computers! I am impressed.

bregalad5

I'd like to say aliens, too. But they told me not to say anything.

Wait, they actually exist?! Here I was just trying to be funny in my sleep-deprived state, but I was right?! :noway:

NO! repeat after me: "I was not right. I was not right."

Goddamnit :explode:

UsedToBeHusky

Watering system. The watering pipe extends from a fixed center and goes around in a circle, making lovely green areas But I really prefer the alien explanation more. :glasses:

Well great! I just downloaded Google Earth to see this for myself. I'm still waiting for it to focus.:grumble:

Seriously though, I've seen those types of irrigation systems all over the country. Shouldn't there be more circles all over?

Great! A new toy... now I'll be up all night!

UsedToBeHusky

OMG! Too cool. I just found my house.

bregalad5

OMG! Too cool. I just found my house.

Be careful. It's like crack.

UsedToBeHusky

OMG! Too cool. I just found my house.

Be careful. It's like crack.

I just want to see the Nazca lines in Peru. Then I'll work out and go to bed.

bregalad5

OMG! Too cool. I just found my house.

Be careful. It's like crack.

I just want to see the Nazca lines in Peru. Then I'll work out and go to bed.

Mmmm hmmmm that's what they all say

UsedToBeHusky

OMG! Too cool. I just found my house.

Be careful. It's like crack.

I just want to see the Nazca lines in Peru. Then I'll work out and go to bed.

Mmmm hmmmm that's what they all say

OMG! That was awesome! Literally took my breath away. Okay. Off to workout.

ivyjbres

Watering system. The watering pipe extends from a fixed center and goes around in a circle, making lovely green areas But I really prefer the alien explanation more. :glasses:

Well great! I just downloaded Google Earth to see this for myself. I'm still waiting for it to focus.:grumble:

Seriously though, I've seen those types of irrigation systems all over the country. Shouldn't there be more circles all over?

Not all irrigation systems are circular. Some just go straight across the field. It also depends on the crop, as some crops need more water than others. Some crops have also been genetically modified (I know people hate that, but its not always a bad thing) to need less water, which allows farmers to use dry land farming techniques. That in turn keeps the soil in place and prevents another Dust Bowl, while conserving water.

GymRatRaceRunner

Just trying out Google Earth now....wait a minute?!...woah!!!!...Is that my butt? It looks HUGE from space?