As we’ve let slip in the past, we here at Astronomy magazine are fans of eating. We’re also somewhat geeky, as you might expect given what we do. So as you can imagine, Pi Day is a pretty big deal around here.
Pi Day, March 14, is a big day every year at Astronomy magazine headquarters. photo by Alison Mackey
First begun in these offices some 6 years or so ago — or “nearly 2π years ago!” as Senior Editor Richard Talcott put it —
Astronomy’s editors now always enjoy celebrating both pi and pie on March 14 (from the first digits of pi, 3.14). This year’s selection included a cherry pie, multiple apple pies, a French silk pie, a Reese’s chocolate peanut butter pie, a mint chocolate chip pie, a Bavarian tort, a quiche, and a batch of perfectly round spacey cookies. We weren’t too choosy: If an entry was circular and delicious, we’d welcome it to the festivities.
Astronomy’s staff has been looking forward to this auspicious occasion for months (seriously), but despite everyone’s appetite, the feast was almost too much for us because multiple editors were out of the office. Only six of us (and that includes two from our Art staff) remained by the day’s end, and we’d barely made a dent in the celebratory pies — not to mention the extra few we’d left behind in the fridge!
Senior Editor Michael E. Bakich and Editor David J. Eicher tuck into the feast, which included cherry pie, multiple apple pies, a French silk pie, a Reese’s chocolate peanut butter pie, a mint chocolate chip pie, a Bavarian tort, a quiche, and a batch of perfectly round spacey cookies! photo by Alison Mackey
We couldn’t participate in other pi-related excitement, as some Pi Day partiers do, other than Rich assuring us (after being asked) that he could recite 35 digits of the transcendental number. Eating the day’s symbols really took it out of us, so next year we might push things back and celebrate in the afternoon. (The traditional time for Pi Day, 1:59, was already booked for a meeting this year.)
How did you celebrate the holiday, or did you know about it at all? What’s your favorite pie, or round-shaped food? How many digits of pi do you know? (My personal best is 16.) Let us know in the comments below!