TOKYO: A Japanese firm has created what it claims is a world-first “noise-canceling” fork to mask the sound made by slurping down noodles, dubbed “noodle harassment” on social media.
Foreign visitors to Japanese noodle bars are often startled to hear the locals — normally so polite and restrained — noisily slurping down their noodles with lip-smacking gusto.
The tradition is supposed to show the diner’s appreciation for the food but some people are becoming bothered by the noise.
Now an instant noodle producer claims to have found a solution to the problem.
Inspired by Japanese toilets, which can be programmed to play an artificial flushing noise to cover embarrassing sounds, Nissin Food Products looked at creating something similar for noodles.
The result was a giant fork — 4.4 centimeters (1.73 inches) wide and 15.2 centimeters long — with a sensitive microphone to detect offending slurps.
“We developed a system in which any subtle slurping sound can be detected,” said the company.
When the slurp alert is triggered, the fork sends a signal to the user’s mobile phone, which plays the soothing sound of flowing water to mask the offending noise.
Nissin will however only sell the gadget if it receives 5,000 pre-orders by mid-December — at the price of ¥14,800.
Slurp alert: Japanese ‘noise-canceling’ fork masks noodle-sucking sound
Slurp alert: Japanese ‘noise-canceling’ fork masks noodle-sucking sound
6 planets will parade across the night sky at the end of February
NEW YORK: Six planets are linking up in the sky at the end of February, and most will be visible to the naked eye.
It’s what’s known as a planetary parade, which happens when multiple planets appear to line up in the sky at once. The planets aren’t in a straight line, but are close together on one side of the sun.
Skygazers can usually spot two or three planets after sunset, according to NASA. Hangouts of four or five that can be glimpsed with the naked eye are less common and occur every few years. Last year featured lineups of six and all seven planets.
When will they be visible?
On Saturday, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn will be visible to the naked eye if clear skies allow. Uranus and Neptune can only be spotted with binoculars and telescopes.
What time is optimal for viewing?
Go outside about an hour after sunset and venture away from tall buildings and trees that will block the view. Look to the western sky and spot Mercury, Venus and Saturn close to the horizon. Jupiter will be higher up, along with Uranus and Neptune.
How to know if you’ve spied a member of the parade?
“If it’s twinkling, it’s a star. If it is not twinkling, it’s a planet,” said planetary scientist Sara Mazrouei with Humber Polytechnic in Canada.
The parade should be visible over the weekend and in the days after. Eventually, Mercury will bow out and dip below the horizon.
At least one bright planet is visible on most nights, according to NASA.
Glimpsing many in the sky at once is a fun way to connect with astronomers of centuries’ past, said planetary scientist Emily Elizondo with Michigan State University.
Ancient astronomers used to make sense of the universe “just by looking up at the stars and the planets,” Elizondo said, “which is something that we can do today.”
