Spurious correlation #1,977 · View random
A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is The distance between Neptune and the Sun and the second variable is Air pollution in New York City. The chart goes from 1980 to 2023, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

A linear line chart with years as the X-axis and two variables on the Y-axis. The first variable is The distance between Neptune and the Sun and the second variable is Air pollution in New York City. The chart goes from 1980 to 2023, and the two variables track closely in value over that time.

Download png, svg

AI explanation

As Neptune cozied up to the Sun, its gravitational pull weakened, creating a ripple effect on the orbital paths of other planets. This celestial shuffle somehow led to a surge in space wind that reached Earth and cleared out the smog over New York City, giving the Big Apple a breath of fresh, Neptune-tinged air. It's like the ultimate case of planetary feng shui!

^{Show image generation prompt} Model: dalle-3
Prompt: Generate an image of New York City skyline with a futuristic, sci-fi twist. In the scene, display towering skyscrapers partially obscured by a thick, hazy smog. The sky is dominated by the imposing presence of Neptune, casting an eerie blue glow over the cityscape. The sun is a mere speck in the far distance, barely visible through the pollution. Add subtle details like sleek flying vehicles, neon signs, and futuristic architecture to enhance the sci-fi fantasy feel. The depiction should include only scenes, people, and objects, it should not include text or speech bubbles.

This image generation prompt was also generated by AI, using the following sequence:

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You select one of a few potential scene descriptors that seems to go along with the variables described. You respond only with the scene descriptions provided and say nothing else.
User prompt: Here are two variables: The distance between Neptune and the Sun and Unhealthy air quality in New York City. Given these, which of the following image style descriptions seems most appropriate? Pick the one that seems to be related to one of the variables at hand. Please respond with only one of the following potential descriptions: Brutalism Charcoal Sci-fi fantacy Brutalism Oragami
ChatGPT: Sci-fi fantasy

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You describe simple visual scenes that depict the two variables stated. You combine both variables into one scene.
User prompt: Please describe a visual scene that prominently depicts both The distance between Neptune and the Sun and Unhealthy air quality in New York City together. Keep the description simple.
ChatGPT: In New York City, with Neptune positioned in the sky, the sun appears as a tiny speck in the far distance. The air is thick and hazy, with a visible smog hanging over the city, indicating unhealthy air quality.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You write and improve image generation prompts for DALLE-3. You maintain the same subjects, but enhance the visuals.
User prompt: Please respond with an image generation prompt that would be likely to create an interesting visual using DALLE-3, using the following style: [ Sci-fi fantasy ] and depicting this scene: In New York City, with Neptune positioned in the sky, the sun appears as a tiny speck in the far distance. The air is thick and hazy, with a visible smog hanging over the city, indicating unhealthy air quality. Keep the visual depiction simple. Do not include any words or speech bubbles.
ChatGPT: Generate an image of New York City skyline with a futuristic, sci-fi twist. In the scene, display towering skyscrapers partially obscured by a thick, hazy smog. The sky is dominated by the imposing presence of Neptune, casting an eerie blue glow over the cityscape. The sun is a mere speck in the far distance, barely visible through the pollution. Add subtle details like sleek flying vehicles, neon signs, and futuristic architecture to enhance the sci-fi fantasy feel.

*Variations in the User Prompts from chart to chart are just the result of random number generation in Python. I wrote a few arrays of various styles and methods to ask questions to change up the results. Every time this site writes an explanation or generates an image, the script picks from each at random.

I sequence the requests into multiple prompts because I find GPT 3.5 to perform much better with short, well-managed contexts. Thus, I track the context directly in Python and only ask ChatGPT targeted questions.
^{Show prompt for explanation} Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106 (fine-tuned)
System prompt: You provide humorous responses in the form of plausible sounding explanations for correlations. You assume the correlation is causative for the purpose of the explanation even if it is ridiculous. You do not chat with the user, you only reply with the causal connection explanation and nothing else.
User prompt: Please make up a funny explanation for how a decrease in The distance between Neptune and the Sun caused Air pollution in New York City to decrease.

AI academic paper

(Because p < 0.01)

The Cosmic Connection: Exploring the Relationship between Neptune's Distance from the Sun and Air Pollution in the Big Apple

The Interstellar Environmental Research Quarterly

Jan 2024

Reminder: This paper is AI-generated. Not real!

^{Show prompt used to generate this paper} Quick note: This sequence is long and repetitive. That's how the prompt engineering works for this one. I manage the output in Python to format it into this PDF.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.You draft a literature review section of an academic research paper, that starts out dry for the first few sentences but then becomes hilarious and goofy.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up a literature review section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The distance between Neptune and the Sun and Air pollution in New York City. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns.

Speak in the present tense for this section (the authors find...), as is common in academic research paper literature reviews. Name the sources in a format similar to this: In "Book," the authors find lorem and ipsum.

Make up the lorem and ipsum part, but make it sound related to the topic at hand.

Start by naming serious-sounding studies by authors like Smith, Doe, and Jones - but then quickly devolve. Name some real non-fiction books that would be related to the topic. Then name some real fiction books that sound like they could be related. Then cite some social media posts you read that seem to be related.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"The Cosmic Connection: Exploring the Relationship between Neptune's Distance from the Sun and Air Pollution in the Big Apple"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This research delves into the curious correlation between Neptune's distance from the Sun and the levels of air pollution in New York City. By harnessing data from Astropy and the Environmental Protection Agency, our study aimed to unravel this cosmic riddle. Surprisingly, our findings revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9165847 and p < 0.01 for the years 1980 to 2023. This suggests an intriguing connection between celestial mechanics and urban air quality, hinting at a cosmic influence on earthly pollutants. The implications of this unexpected relationship are both compelling and, dare we say, out of this world.

-------

And here is the introduction section that led to this literature review:
[[INTRODUCTION]]
The interconnectedness of the cosmos and the Earth has long fascinated scientists and laypeople alike. While we often focus on the impact of earthly phenomena on our daily lives, could it be that the celestial bodies millions of kilometers away also exert their influence on our terrestrial existence? In this study, we set out to explore the enigmatic link between Neptune's distance from the Sun and the levels of air pollution in the bustling metropolis of New York City.
At first glance, one might be forgiven for thinking that such a study is purely hypothetical or downright absurd. After all, Neptune is a staggering 4.4 billion kilometers from the Sun, while New York City is a mere speck on the Earth's surface. However, as the saying goes, "the devil is in the details," and the statistical devilry we have engaged in has revealed some rather intriguing findings.
While one might humbly assume that any connection between a distant ice giant and the air quality of the Big Apple would be tenuous at best, our data has thrown a rather celestial curveball. The analysis of data from both the Astropy and the Environmental Protection Agency databases has yielded a surprising correlation coefficient of 0.9165847 with a p-value less than 0.01 for the years 1980 to 2023. This statistically significant relationship between Neptune's position in the solar system and the levels of air pollutants in New York City has left us both scratching our heads and gazing skyward in wonder.
It is important to remember that correlation does not imply causation, and we are not suggesting that Neptune is intentionally sending cosmic smog our way. However, the implications of such a striking statistical relationship are nothing short of mind-boggling. Could there truly be a cosmic dance at play, where the movements of distant planets sway the fates of our urban air? This study endeavors to unravel this perplexing puzzle, but be warned, dear reader, as we journey into the realms of statistical astrology, the boundaries between science and cosmic curiosity may blur.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

ChatGPT:
[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]

In "Smith et al.," the authors find a deep and abiding connection between the distance of Neptune from the Sun and the air pollution levels in New York City. They attribute this revelatory discovery to the influence of celestial mechanics on earthly phenomena, thus paving the way for a new frontier in interdisciplinary research.

Doe's groundbreaking work "Planetary Positioning and Urban Air Quality" sheds light on the potential correlations between the planetary system and air pollution in major metropolitan areas. The findings suggest that distant celestial bodies may hold sway over earthly pollutants in ways that transcend conventional scientific understanding.

Jones et al., in their thorough investigation "Neptune's Nudge: A Cosmic Influence on Urban Smog," bring attention to the perplexing relationship between Neptune's orbital mechanics and air pollution in New York City. Their research points to a provocative link that challenges traditional notions of causality.

"Distant Worlds and Dirty Air: Exploring the Cosmic Implications" by AstroPhile and "The Air We Breathe: A Celestial Perspective" by EPA Insider offer intriguing perspectives on the cosmic web of influence that may extend from the outer reaches of our solar system to the bustling streets of New York City.

Turning to the world of fiction, works such as "Neptune's Noxious Nebula" by Stella Starlight and "Airborne Astrology: A Cosmic Conspiracy" by Terry Terra conjure whimsical scenarios that tantalize the imagination with the possibility of otherworldly influences on earthly air quality.

In a fortuitous twist of fate, the authors stumbled upon a series of social media posts that seem to echo the surprising link between Neptune's distance from the Sun and air pollution in New York City. While these informal musings may lack the academic rigor of peer-reviewed research, their anecdotal evidence offers a glimpse into the public's fascination with the cosmic connection to terrestrial matters. One user posits, "Maybe it's not just the cars and factories causing smog in NYC – perhaps Neptune has a hand in it too!" Another quips, "Who knew that the outer planets were involved in downtown pollution!" These lighthearted comments underscore the allure of celestial speculation in everyday discourse.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.You draft the methodology section of an academic research paper.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the methodology section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The distance between Neptune and the Sun and Air pollution in New York City. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Caclculated using Astropy and Environmental Protection Agency . You used data from 1980 to 2023

Make up the research methods you don't know. Make them a bit goofy and convoluted.

Here is the title, abstract, and introduction of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"The Cosmic Connection: Exploring the Relationship between Neptune's Distance from the Sun and Air Pollution in the Big Apple"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This research delves into the curious correlation between Neptune's distance from the Sun and the levels of air pollution in New York City. By harnessing data from Astropy and the Environmental Protection Agency, our study aimed to unravel this cosmic riddle. Surprisingly, our findings revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9165847 and p < 0.01 for the years 1980 to 2023. This suggests an intriguing connection between celestial mechanics and urban air quality, hinting at a cosmic influence on earthly pollutants. The implications of this unexpected relationship are both compelling and, dare we say, out of this world.

[[INTRODUCTION]]
The interconnectedness of the cosmos and the Earth has long fascinated scientists and laypeople alike. While we often focus on the impact of earthly phenomena on our daily lives, could it be that the celestial bodies millions of kilometers away also exert their influence on our terrestrial existence? In this study, we set out to explore the enigmatic link between Neptune's distance from the Sun and the levels of air pollution in the bustling metropolis of New York City.
At first glance, one might be forgiven for thinking that such a study is purely hypothetical or downright absurd. After all, Neptune is a staggering 4.4 billion kilometers from the Sun, while New York City is a mere speck on the Earth's surface. However, as the saying goes, "the devil is in the details," and the statistical devilry we have engaged in has revealed some rather intriguing findings.
While one might humbly assume that any connection between a distant ice giant and the air quality of the Big Apple would be tenuous at best, our data has thrown a rather celestial curveball. The analysis of data from both the Astropy and the Environmental Protection Agency databases has yielded a surprising correlation coefficient of 0.9165847 with a p-value less than 0.01 for the years 1980 to 2023. This statistically significant relationship between Neptune's position in the solar system and the levels of air pollutants in New York City has left us both scratching our heads and gazing skyward in wonder.
It is important to remember that correlation does not imply causation, and we are not suggesting that Neptune is intentionally sending cosmic smog our way. However, the implications of such a striking statistical relationship are nothing short of mind-boggling. Could there truly be a cosmic dance at play, where the movements of distant planets sway the fates of our urban air? This study endeavors to unravel this perplexing puzzle, but be warned, dear reader, as we journey into the realms of statistical astrology, the boundaries between science and cosmic curiosity may blur.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

ChatGPT:

[[METHODOLOGY]]

Data Collection:
The data for Neptune's distance from the Sun was obtained from the Astropy database, taking into account the ephemeral nature of planetary orbits. The Environmental Protection Agency provided air pollution data for New York City from 1980 to 2023. This comprehensive timeline allowed for a thorough examination of the relationship between these seemingly disparate variables.

Data Cleaning:
To ensure the reliability of the data, rigorous cleaning processes were applied to both datasets. Outliers were treated with the delicacy of handling fragile cosmic artifacts, and missing values were filled in a manner so meticulous, it would make even the most fastidious astronomer nod in approval.

Statistical Analysis:
The distance between Neptune and the Sun was analyzed in astronomical units, while air pollution levels were measured in the all-too-familiar parts per million. Various statistical methods, reminiscent of an elaborate celestial waltz, were employed to investigate the potential relationship between these variables. The correlation coefficient and p-value were calculated with the same precision as pinning down the position of a distant planet, allowing for an in-depth evaluation of the statistical significance of the observed relationship.

Time Series Analysis:
A time series analysis was conducted to account for the temporal dimension of the data. This allowed us to discern any temporal patterns or cyclical influences that might be at play, akin to uncovering the hidden rhythms of the cosmos within the urban sprawl of New York City.

Control Variables:
While the focus of our study was undoubtedly on the bewitching dance between Neptune's distance from the Sun and air pollution in New York City, we also considered various control variables. Seasonal variations, industrial activities, and other earthly factors were scrutinized with the same fervor as searching for cosmic crumbs amidst the bustling cityscape.

Multivariate Regression Analysis:
To disentangle the web of potential influencers, a multivariate regression analysis was performed. This comprehensive approach allowed for the identification of any confounding factors that might masquerade as cosmic connections, ensuring that our findings were as clear and crisp as the New York City skyline on a particularly pollution-free day.

Robustness Checks:
To lend further credibility to our findings, robustness checks were conducted with the zeal of a scientist double-checking their celestial observations. Sensitivity analyses and alternative model specifications were explored to ensure that our results stood firm against the gales of skepticism.

In summary, this methodology ingeniously balanced the precision of astronomical calculations with the craftiness of statistical analysis, allowing us to shed light on the celestial ties that may, quite literally, color the air we breathe.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.You draft the results section of an academic research paper. You speak in the past tense (you found...).
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the results section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The distance between Neptune and the Sun and Air pollution in New York City. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Your research team collected data from all across the internet, but mostly just used information from Caclculated using Astropy and Environmental Protection Agency .

For the time period 1980 to 2023, you found a correlation 0.9165847, r-squared of 0.8401275, and p < 0.01.

One figure will be included. The figure (Fig. 1) is a scatterplot showing the strong correlation between the two variables. You don't need to specify where; I will add the figure.

Here is the title and abstract of the paper:
[[TITLE]]
"The Cosmic Connection: Exploring the Relationship between Neptune's Distance from the Sun and Air Pollution in the Big Apple"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This research delves into the curious correlation between Neptune's distance from the Sun and the levels of air pollution in New York City. By harnessing data from Astropy and the Environmental Protection Agency, our study aimed to unravel this cosmic riddle. Surprisingly, our findings revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9165847 and p < 0.01 for the years 1980 to 2023. This suggests an intriguing connection between celestial mechanics and urban air quality, hinting at a cosmic influence on earthly pollutants. The implications of this unexpected relationship are both compelling and, dare we say, out of this world.

-------

And here is the methodology section that led to this result:
[[METHODOLOGY]]
The interconnectedness of the cosmos and the Earth has long fascinated scientists and laypeople alike. While we often focus on the impact of earthly phenomena on our daily lives, could it be that the celestial bodies millions of kilometers away also exert their influence on our terrestrial existence? In this study, we set out to explore the enigmatic link between Neptune's distance from the Sun and the levels of air pollution in the bustling metropolis of New York City.
At first glance, one might be forgiven for thinking that such a study is purely hypothetical or downright absurd. After all, Neptune is a staggering 4.4 billion kilometers from the Sun, while New York City is a mere speck on the Earth's surface. However, as the saying goes, "the devil is in the details," and the statistical devilry we have engaged in has revealed some rather intriguing findings.
While one might humbly assume that any connection between a distant ice giant and the air quality of the Big Apple would be tenuous at best, our data has thrown a rather celestial curveball. The analysis of data from both the Astropy and the Environmental Protection Agency databases has yielded a surprising correlation coefficient of 0.9165847 with a p-value less than 0.01 for the years 1980 to 2023. This statistically significant relationship between Neptune's position in the solar system and the levels of air pollutants in New York City has left us both scratching our heads and gazing skyward in wonder.
It is important to remember that correlation does not imply causation, and we are not suggesting that Neptune is intentionally sending cosmic smog our way. However, the implications of such a striking statistical relationship are nothing short of mind-boggling. Could there truly be a cosmic dance at play, where the movements of distant planets sway the fates of our urban air? This study endeavors to unravel this perplexing puzzle, but be warned, dear reader, as we journey into the realms of statistical astrology, the boundaries between science and cosmic curiosity may blur.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[RESULTS]]

ChatGPT:

[[RESULTS]]

The analysis of the data amassed from far-reaching corners of the Internet, primarily utilizing information from Astropy and the Environmental Protection Agency, revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.9165847, an r-squared value of 0.8401275, and a p-value less than 0.01 for the time period spanning from 1980 to 2023. These results, much like a surprise encounter with an asteroid on a leisurely spacewalk, left our research team both taken aback and exhilarated.

The plot thickens in Fig. 1, where the scatterplot showcases a remarkably strong correlation between Neptune's distance from the Sun and the levels of air pollution in the concrete jungle of New York City. It's almost as if Neptune's position in the solar system is whispering sweet statistical nothings to the air pollutants in the Big Apple.

The robust correlation coefficient and statistically significant p-value have prompted both raised eyebrows and speculative musings among the research team. After all, who would have thought that a distant ice giant could hold sway over the atmospheric composition of a vibrant urban center? It seems that when it comes to the mysterious interplay between the celestial and the terrestrial, truth is often stranger than science fiction.

While it is vital to exercise caution in ascribing causation to correlation, the implications of this unexpected relationship beckon us to cast our gaze upwards. Perhaps there is a cosmic choreography at work, with the grand movements of distant planets orchestrating a celestial symphony that resonates with the minutiae of our daily lives. As we navigate this cosmic conundrum, the boundaries between observational science and whimsical wonder may blur, leading to a paradigm-shifting reevaluation of the forces that shape our world.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.You draft the discussion section of an academic research paper.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up the discussion section of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The distance between Neptune and the Sun and Air pollution in New York City. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Limit your response to 500 tokens.

Here are the title, abstract, literature review, and results sections. Please harken back to 1-2 of the goofy items in the literature review, but pretend to take them completely seriously. Discuss how your results supported the prior research.

Do not write a conclusion. I will add a conclusion after this.

[[TITLE]]
"The Cosmic Connection: Exploring the Relationship between Neptune's Distance from the Sun and Air Pollution in the Big Apple"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This research delves into the curious correlation between Neptune's distance from the Sun and the levels of air pollution in New York City. By harnessing data from Astropy and the Environmental Protection Agency, our study aimed to unravel this cosmic riddle. Surprisingly, our findings revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9165847 and p < 0.01 for the years 1980 to 2023. This suggests an intriguing connection between celestial mechanics and urban air quality, hinting at a cosmic influence on earthly pollutants. The implications of this unexpected relationship are both compelling and, dare we say, out of this world.

[[LITERATURE REVIEW]]
In "Smith et al.," the authors find a deep and abiding connection between the distance of Neptune from the Sun and the air pollution levels in New York City. They attribute this revelatory discovery to the influence of celestial mechanics on earthly phenomena, thus paving the way for a new frontier in interdisciplinary research.
Doe's groundbreaking work "Planetary Positioning and Urban Air Quality" sheds light on the potential correlations between the planetary system and air pollution in major metropolitan areas. The findings suggest that distant celestial bodies may hold sway over earthly pollutants in ways that transcend conventional scientific understanding.
Jones et al., in their thorough investigation "Neptune's Nudge: A Cosmic Influence on Urban Smog," bring attention to the perplexing relationship between Neptune's orbital mechanics and air pollution in New York City. Their research points to a provocative link that challenges traditional notions of causality.
"Distant Worlds and Dirty Air: Exploring the Cosmic Implications" by AstroPhile and "The Air We Breathe: A Celestial Perspective" by EPA Insider offer intriguing perspectives on the cosmic web of influence that may extend from the outer reaches of our solar system to the bustling streets of New York City.
Turning to the world of fiction, works such as "Neptune's Noxious Nebula" by Stella Starlight and "Airborne Astrology: A Cosmic Conspiracy" by Terry Terra conjure whimsical scenarios that tantalize the imagination with the possibility of otherworldly influences on earthly air quality.
In a fortuitous twist of fate, the authors stumbled upon a series of social media posts that seem to echo the surprising link between Neptune's distance from the Sun and air pollution in New York City. While these informal musings may lack the academic rigor of peer-reviewed research, their anecdotal evidence offers a glimpse into the public's fascination with the cosmic connection to terrestrial matters. One user posits, "Maybe it's not just the cars and factories causing smog in NYC – perhaps Neptune has a hand in it too!" Another quips, "Who knew that the outer planets were involved in downtown pollution!" These lighthearted comments underscore the allure of celestial speculation in everyday discourse.

[[RESULTS]]
The analysis of the data amassed from far-reaching corners of the Internet, primarily utilizing information from Astropy and the Environmental Protection Agency, revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.9165847, an r-squared value of 0.8401275, and a p-value less than 0.01 for the time period spanning from 1980 to 2023. These results, much like a surprise encounter with an asteroid on a leisurely spacewalk, left our research team both taken aback and exhilarated.
The plot thickens in Fig. 1, where the scatterplot showcases a remarkably strong correlation between Neptune's distance from the Sun and the levels of air pollution in the concrete jungle of New York City. It's almost as if Neptune's position in the solar system is whispering sweet statistical nothings to the air pollutants in the Big Apple.
The robust correlation coefficient and statistically significant p-value have prompted both raised eyebrows and speculative musings among the research team. After all, who would have thought that a distant ice giant could hold sway over the atmospheric composition of a vibrant urban center? It seems that when it comes to the mysterious interplay between the celestial and the terrestrial, truth is often stranger than science fiction.
While it is vital to exercise caution in ascribing causation to correlation, the implications of this unexpected relationship beckon us to cast our gaze upwards. Perhaps there is a cosmic choreography at work, with the grand movements of distant planets orchestrating a celestial symphony that resonates with the minutiae of our daily lives. As we navigate this cosmic conundrum, the boundaries between observational science and whimsical wonder may blur, leading to a paradigm-shifting reevaluation of the forces that shape our world.

-------

Your response should start like this:

[[DISCUSSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[DISCUSSION]]

The findings of this study contribute to a burgeoning body of research that challenges conventional wisdom and invites us to contemplate the interconnectedness of celestial mechanics and earthly phenomena. The striking correlation coefficient and statistically significant p-value uncovered in our analysis align with the prior work of Smith et al., Doe, and Jones et al., thereby bolstering the evidence for a profound link between Neptune's distance from the Sun and air pollution in New York City. The cosmic ballet of planetary movements seems to have more than just celestial significance; it may also play a captivating role in shaping the air we breathe in urban environments.

Drawing upon the literary commentaries highlighted in the literature review, one cannot help but appreciate the fortuitous convergence of scientific inquiry and whimsical speculation. While the notion of distant planets influencing urban air quality may at first elicit a chuckle, the robust statistical findings of our study prompt us to take this cosmic connection with the utmost seriousness. As researchers, it is imperative to maintain a sense of curiosity and open-mindedness, even when confronting findings that appear to stretch the bounds of rational explanation.

The unexpected relationship between Neptune's orbital dynamics and air pollution in New York City offers a captivating avenue for further exploration and invites interdisciplinary collaboration. As we venture into this cosmic frontier, it becomes clear that the pursuit of knowledge often leads us to unexpected and mind-bending intersections of science and fantasy. The results of this study may serve as a catalyst for future investigations into the cosmic influences on terrestrial phenomena, prompting a reevaluation of the traditional boundaries between astrophysics and environmental science.

In conclusion, the celestial dance between Neptune and the Sun appears to hold sway over the atmospheric composition of New York City, challenging our preconceptions and beckoning us to contemplate the profound interconnectedness of the cosmos and the minutiae of our daily lives. As we continue to unravel the enigmatic threads of this cosmic tapestry, we must remain open to the possibility that the celestial and the terrestrial are inextricably intertwined in ways that defy our current understanding. It is in this spirit of intellectual curiosity and boundless exploration that we embark on the next frontier of cosmic inquiry.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You are a dry but witty academic researcher. You speak in the passive voice, and your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal.You draft the discussion section of goofy academic research papers that sounds like it belongs based on the title and abstract provided.
User prompt:
Pretend you are an academic researcher. Your writing sounds like it belongs in a medical or economics journal. However, you frequently crack jokes, make puns, or add unexpected twists in your writing.

Please make up a short conclusion of an academic research paper presenting the findings of the connection between The distance between Neptune and the Sun and Air pollution in New York City. Make lots of jokes, goofy observations, and puns. Sneak in some jokes and clever puns about science, research, statistics, and the variables.

Limit your response to 300 tokens. At the very end, assert that no more research is needed in this area.

Here are the title, abstract, introduction, and results sections.
[[TITLE]]
"The Cosmic Connection: Exploring the Relationship between Neptune's Distance from the Sun and Air Pollution in the Big Apple"

[[ABSTRACT]]
This research delves into the curious correlation between Neptune's distance from the Sun and the levels of air pollution in New York City. By harnessing data from Astropy and the Environmental Protection Agency, our study aimed to unravel this cosmic riddle. Surprisingly, our findings revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9165847 and p < 0.01 for the years 1980 to 2023. This suggests an intriguing connection between celestial mechanics and urban air quality, hinting at a cosmic influence on earthly pollutants. The implications of this unexpected relationship are both compelling and, dare we say, out of this world.

[[INTRDUCTION]]
The interconnectedness of the cosmos and the Earth has long fascinated scientists and laypeople alike. While we often focus on the impact of earthly phenomena on our daily lives, could it be that the celestial bodies millions of kilometers away also exert their influence on our terrestrial existence? In this study, we set out to explore the enigmatic link between Neptune's distance from the Sun and the levels of air pollution in the bustling metropolis of New York City.
At first glance, one might be forgiven for thinking that such a study is purely hypothetical or downright absurd. After all, Neptune is a staggering 4.4 billion kilometers from the Sun, while New York City is a mere speck on the Earth's surface. However, as the saying goes, "the devil is in the details," and the statistical devilry we have engaged in has revealed some rather intriguing findings.
While one might humbly assume that any connection between a distant ice giant and the air quality of the Big Apple would be tenuous at best, our data has thrown a rather celestial curveball. The analysis of data from both the Astropy and the Environmental Protection Agency databases has yielded a surprising correlation coefficient of 0.9165847 with a p-value less than 0.01 for the years 1980 to 2023. This statistically significant relationship between Neptune's position in the solar system and the levels of air pollutants in New York City has left us both scratching our heads and gazing skyward in wonder.
It is important to remember that correlation does not imply causation, and we are not suggesting that Neptune is intentionally sending cosmic smog our way. However, the implications of such a striking statistical relationship are nothing short of mind-boggling. Could there truly be a cosmic dance at play, where the movements of distant planets sway the fates of our urban air? This study endeavors to unravel this perplexing puzzle, but be warned, dear reader, as we journey into the realms of statistical astrology, the boundaries between science and cosmic curiosity may blur.

[[RESULTS]]
The analysis of the data amassed from far-reaching corners of the Internet, primarily utilizing information from Astropy and the Environmental Protection Agency, revealed a correlation coefficient of 0.9165847, an r-squared value of 0.8401275, and a p-value less than 0.01 for the time period spanning from 1980 to 2023. These results, much like a surprise encounter with an asteroid on a leisurely spacewalk, left our research team both taken aback and exhilarated.
The plot thickens in Fig. 1, where the scatterplot showcases a remarkably strong correlation between Neptune's distance from the Sun and the levels of air pollution in the concrete jungle of New York City. It's almost as if Neptune's position in the solar system is whispering sweet statistical nothings to the air pollutants in the Big Apple.
The robust correlation coefficient and statistically significant p-value have prompted both raised eyebrows and speculative musings among the research team. After all, who would have thought that a distant ice giant could hold sway over the atmospheric composition of a vibrant urban center? It seems that when it comes to the mysterious interplay between the celestial and the terrestrial, truth is often stranger than science fiction.
While it is vital to exercise caution in ascribing causation to correlation, the implications of this unexpected relationship beckon us to cast our gaze upwards. Perhaps there is a cosmic choreography at work, with the grand movements of distant planets orchestrating a celestial symphony that resonates with the minutiae of our daily lives. As we navigate this cosmic conundrum, the boundaries between observational science and whimsical wonder may blur, leading to a paradigm-shifting reevaluation of the forces that shape our world.

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Your response should start like this:

[[CONCLUSION]]

ChatGPT:

[[CONCLUSION]]

In conclusion, the results of this study present a tantalizing correlation between Neptune's distance from the Sun and the levels of air pollution in the captivating urban milieu of New York City. The statistical dance between these variables has left us both astounded and pleasantly intrigued, much like stumbling upon a cosmic phenomenon while stargazing in the comfort of our statistical observatory.

The findings suggest that there may be more at play in the atmosphere of New York City than meets the eye. It's almost as if the distant whispers of Neptune are mingling with the earthly emissions to create a celestial cocktail of pollutants. This unexpected relationship prompts us to ponder whether the allure of statistical astrology might hold more weight than we previously imagined.

The statistical strength of the correlation coefficient and the compelling plot in Fig. 1 lead us to consider that perhaps, just perhaps, there is a cosmic ballet unfolding above our heads, the movements of which echo in the air we breathe. It's like witnessing a beautiful celestial waltz, where the planets are twirling and dipping, and the pollutants are dancing to the rhythm of the solar system.

While it may be tempting to delve deeper into the cosmic conundrum, it seems that the correlation, however compelling, still falls short of establishing a causal link. And so, like weary astronomers who have spent a night gazing at the stars, we must reluctantly conclude that perhaps no more research is needed in this particular astronomical avenue. Then we can turn our attention to other pressing questions, such as whether Jupiter's moons have any influence on the stock market.

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide fictional names of academic journals. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide the name of a funny but plausible sounding research, scientific, or academic journal that would publish a paper entited The Cosmic Connection: Exploring the Relationship between Neptune's Distance from the Sun and Air Pollution in the Big Apple. Respond only with the name of a fictional academic journal.

ChatGPT:

The Interstellar Environmental Research Quarterly

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide fictional names of nonprofit research organizations and associations. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide the name of a funny but plausible sounding nonprofit, academic, or scientific association or organization that would sponsor research that resulted in a paper entited The Cosmic Connection: Exploring the Relationship between Neptune's Distance from the Sun and Air Pollution in the Big Apple. Respond only with the name of a fictional organization.

ChatGPT:

The Association for Planetary Environmental Studies

Model: gpt-3.5-turbo-1106
System prompt: You provide potential search keywords separated by commas. You say nothing else, and you do not chat with the user.
User prompt: Please provide potential search keywords for a paper titled The Cosmic Connection: Exploring the Relationship between Neptune's Distance from the Sun and Air Pollution in the Big Apple with an abstract of This research delves into the curious correlation between Neptune's distance from the Sun and the levels of air pollution in New York City. By harnessing data from Astropy and the Environmental Protection Agency, our study aimed to unravel this cosmic riddle. Surprisingly, our findings revealed a striking correlation coefficient of 0.9165847 and p < 0.01 for the years 1980 to 2023. This suggests an intriguing connection between celestial mechanics and urban air quality, hinting at a cosmic influence on earthly pollutants. The implications of this unexpected relationship are both compelling and, dare we say, out of this world.

ChatGPT:

Neptune distance from the sun, air pollution, New York City, cosmic influence, celestial mechanics, urban air quality, Astropy data, Environmental Protection Agency, correlation coefficient, cosmic riddle, earthly pollutants, Neptune's orbit, atmospheric pollution

*There is a bunch of Python happening behind the scenes to turn this prompt sequence into a PDF.

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Data details

The distance between Neptune and the Sun
Detailed data title: The average distance between Neptune and the Sun as measured on the first day of each month
Source: Caclculated using Astropy
Additional Info: ^{See full details} I wrote a Python script using Astropy to calculate the distance between the named planets on the first day of each month for every year.

See what else correlates with The distance between Neptune and the Sun

Air pollution in New York City
Detailed data title: Percentage of days with air quality at 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' or worse in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
Source: Environmental Protection Agency
See what else correlates with Air pollution in New York City

Correlation r = 0.9165847 (Pearson correlation coefficient)
Correlation is a measure of how much the variables move together. If it is 0.99, when one goes up the other goes up. If it is 0.02, the connection is very weak or non-existent. If it is -0.99, then when one goes up the other goes down. If it is 1.00, you probably messed up your correlation function.

r² = 0.8401275 (Coefficient of determination)
This means 84% of the change in the one variable (i.e., Air pollution in New York City) is predictable based on the change in the other (i.e., The distance between Neptune and the Sun) over the 44 years from 1980 through 2023.

p < 0.01, which is statistically significant(Null hypothesis significance test)
The p-value is 2.5E-18.^Show 0.0000000000000000025289847821
The p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme.^Note More specifically the p-value is a measure of how probable it is that we would randomly find a result this extreme if we had only tested one pair of variables one time.

But I am a p-villain. I absolutely did not test only one pair of variables one time. I correlated hundreds of millions of pairs of variables. I threw boatloads of data into an industrial-sized blender to find this correlation.

Who is going to stop me? p-value reporting doesn't require me to report how many calculations I had to go through in order to find a low p-value!
On average, you will find a correaltion as strong as 0.92 in 2.5E-16% of random cases. Said differently, if you correlated 395,415,586,158,500,800 random variables^Note You don't actually need 395 quadrillion variables to find a correlation like this one. I don't have that many variables in my database. You can also correlate variables that are not independent. I do this a lot.

p-value calculations are useful for understanding the probability of a result happening by chance. They are most useful when used to highlight the risk of a fluke outcome. For example, if you calculate a p-value of 0.30, the risk that the result is a fluke is high. It is good to know that! But there are lots of ways to get a p-value of less than 0.01, as evidenced by this project.

In this particular case, the values are so extreme as to be meaningless. That's why no one reports p-values with specificity after they drop below 0.01.

Just to be clear: I'm being completely transparent about the calculations. There is no math trickery. This is just how statistics shakes out when you calculate hundreds of millions of random correlations.
with the same 43 degrees of freedom, ^Note Degrees of freedom is a measure of how many free components we are testing. In this case it is 43 because we have two variables measured over a period of 44 years. It's just the number of years minus ( the number of variables minus one ), which in this case simplifies to the number of years minus one.
you would randomly expect to find a correlation as strong as this one.

[ 0.85, 0.95 ] 95% correlation confidence interval (using the Fisher z-transformation)
^{Read more about the confidence interval} The confidence interval is an estimate the range of the value of the correlation coefficient, using the correlation itself as an input. The values are meant to be the low and high end of the correlation coefficient with 95% confidence.

This one is a bit more complciated than the other calculations, but I include it because many people have been pushing for confidence intervals instead of p-value calculations (for example: NEJM. However, if you are dredging data, you can reliably find yourself in the 5%. That's my goal!

All values for the years included above: ^Note If I were being very sneaky, I could trim years from the beginning or end of the datasets to increase the correlation on some pairs of variables. I don't do that because there are already plenty of correlations in my database without monkeying with the years.

Still, sometimes one of the variables has more years of data available than the other. This page only shows the overlapping years. To see all the years, click on "See what else correlates with..." link above.

	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
The distance between Neptune and the Sun (Planetary distance (AU))	30.2793	30.2763	30.2725	30.2676	30.2613	30.2535	30.2445	30.2347	30.2248	30.2152	30.2064	30.1985	30.1912	30.1844	30.1774	30.1698	30.161	30.1509	30.1396	30.1273	30.1147	30.1024	30.0908	30.0803	30.071	30.0627	30.055	30.0473	30.0391	30.0301	30.02	30.0091	29.9976	29.9861	29.9751	29.9652	29.9565	29.9491	29.9427	29.9369	29.931	29.9246	29.9174	29.9091
Air pollution in New York City (Bad air quality days)	45.9016	41.6438	41.6438	41.6438	47.2678	52.0548	44.1096	40.8219	31.4208	30.137	24.3836	29.0411	16.9399	23.0137	23.2877	19.726	18.306	17.8082	22.1918	22.7397	17.7596	24.3836	23.5616	16.7123	13.9344	19.4521	17.8082	18.0822	14.2077	9.58904	16.7123	9.0411	10.6557	5.75342	4.38356	10.411	8.19672	5.20548	7.39726	4.38356	3.00546	5.75342	3.0137	6.95971

Why this works

Data dredging: I have 25,153 variables in my database. I compare all these variables against each other to find ones that randomly match up. That's 632,673,409 correlation calculations! This is called “data dredging.” Instead of starting with a hypothesis and testing it, I instead abused the data to see what correlations shake out. It’s a dangerous way to go about analysis, because any sufficiently large dataset will yield strong correlations completely at random.
Lack of causal connection: There is probably^Note Because these pages are automatically generated, it's possible that the two variables you are viewing are in fact causually related. I take steps to prevent the obvious ones from showing on the site (I don't let data about the weather in one city correlate with the weather in a neighboring city, for example), but sometimes they still pop up. If they are related, cool! You found a loophole.
no direct connection between these variables, despite what the AI says above. This is exacerbated by the fact that I used "Years" as the base variable. Lots of things happen in a year that are not related to each other! Most studies would use something like "one person" in stead of "one year" to be the "thing" studied.
Observations not independent: For many variables, sequential years are not independent of each other. If a population of people is continuously doing something every day, there is no reason to think they would suddenly change how they are doing that thing on January 1. A simple^Note Personally I don't find any p-value calculation to be 'simple,' but you know what I mean.
p-value calculation does not take this into account, so mathematically it appears less probable than it really is.
Y-axis doesn't start at zero: I truncated the Y-axes of the graph above. I also used a line graph, which makes the visual connection stand out more than it deserves. ^Note Nothing against line graphs. They are great at telling a story when you have linear data! But visually it is deceptive because the only data is at the points on the graph, not the lines on the graph. In between each point, the data could have been doing anything. Like going for a random walk by itself!
Mathematically what I showed is true, but it is intentionally misleading. Below is the same chart but with both Y-axes starting at zero.

Try it yourself

You can calculate the values on this page on your own! Try running the Python code to see the calculation results. ^{Show the steps to do this.} Step 1: Download and install Python on your computer.

Step 2: Open a plaintext editor like Notepad and paste the code below into it.

Step 3: Save the file as "calculate_correlation.py" in a place you will remember, like your desktop. Copy the file location to your clipboard. On Windows, you can right-click the file and click "Properties," and then copy what comes after "Location:" As an example, on my computer the location is "C:\Users\tyler\Desktop"

Step 4: Open a command line window. For example, by pressing start and typing "cmd" and them pressing enter.

Step 5: Install the required modules by typing "pip install numpy", then pressing enter, then typing "pip install scipy", then pressing enter.

Step 6: Navigate to the location where you saved the Python file by using the "cd" command. For example, I would type "cd C:\Users\tyler\Desktop" and push enter.

Step 7: Run the Python script by typing "python calculate_correlation.py"

If you run into any issues, I suggest asking ChatGPT to walk you through installing Python and running the code below on your system. Try this question:

"Walk me through installing Python on my computer to run a script that uses scipy and numpy. Go step-by-step and ask me to confirm before moving on. Start by asking me questions about my operating system so that you know how to proceed. Assume I want the simplest installation with the latest version of Python and that I do not currently have any of the necessary elements installed. Remember to only give me one step per response and confirm I have done it before proceeding."

# These modules make it easier to perform the calculation
import numpy as np
from scipy import stats

# We'll define a function that we can call to return the correlation calculations
def calculate_correlation(array1, array2):

    # Calculate Pearson correlation coefficient and p-value
    correlation, p_value = stats.pearsonr(array1, array2)

    # Calculate R-squared as the square of the correlation coefficient
    r_squared = correlation**2

    return correlation, r_squared, p_value

# These are the arrays for the variables shown on this page, but you can modify them to be any two sets of numbers
array_1 = np.array([30.2793,30.2763,30.2725,30.2676,30.2613,30.2535,30.2445,30.2347,30.2248,30.2152,30.2064,30.1985,30.1912,30.1844,30.1774,30.1698,30.161,30.1509,30.1396,30.1273,30.1147,30.1024,30.0908,30.0803,30.071,30.0627,30.055,30.0473,30.0391,30.0301,30.02,30.0091,29.9976,29.9861,29.9751,29.9652,29.9565,29.9491,29.9427,29.9369,29.931,29.9246,29.9174,29.9091,])
array_2 = np.array([45.9016,41.6438,41.6438,41.6438,47.2678,52.0548,44.1096,40.8219,31.4208,30.137,24.3836,29.0411,16.9399,23.0137,23.2877,19.726,18.306,17.8082,22.1918,22.7397,17.7596,24.3836,23.5616,16.7123,13.9344,19.4521,17.8082,18.0822,14.2077,9.58904,16.7123,9.0411,10.6557,5.75342,4.38356,10.411,8.19672,5.20548,7.39726,4.38356,3.00546,5.75342,3.0137,6.95971,])
array_1_name = "The distance between Neptune and the Sun"
array_2_name = "Air pollution in New York City"

# Perform the calculation
print(f"Calculating the correlation between {array_1_name} and {array_2_name}...")
correlation, r_squared, p_value = calculate_correlation(array_1, array_2)

# Print the results
print("Correlation Coefficient:", correlation)
print("R-squared:", r_squared)
print("P-value:", p_value)

Reuseable content

You may re-use the images on this page for any purpose, even commercial purposes, without asking for permission. The only requirement is that you attribute Tyler Vigen. ^Note Attribution can take many different forms. If you leave the "tylervigen.com" link in the image, that satisfies it just fine. If you remove it and move it to a footnote, that's fine too. You can also just write "Charts courtesy of Tyler Vigen" at the bottom of an article.

You do not need to attribute "the spurious correlations website," and you don't even need to link here if you don't want to. I don't gain anything from pageviews. There are no ads on this site, there is nothing for sale, and I am not for hire.

For the record, I am just one person. Tyler Vigen, he/him/his. I do have degrees, but they should not go after my name unless you want to annoy my wife. If that is your goal, then go ahead and cite me as "Tyler Vigen, A.A. A.A.S. B.A. J.D." Otherwise it is just "Tyler Vigen."

When spoken, my last name is pronounced "vegan," like I don't eat meat.

Full license details.
For more on re-use permissions, or to get a signed release form, see tylervigen.com/permission.

Download images for these variables:

High resolution line chart ^Note The image linked here is a Scalable Vector Graphic (SVG). It is the highest resolution that is possible to achieve. It scales up beyond the size of the observable universe without pixelating. You do not need to email me asking if I have a higher resolution image. I do not. The physical limitations of our universe prevent me from providing you with an image that is any higher resolution than this one.

If you insert it into a PowerPoint presentation (a tool well-known for managing things that are the scale of the universe), you can right-click > "Ungroup" or "Create Shape" and then edit the lines and text directly. You can also change the colors this way.

Alternatively you can use a tool like Inkscape.
High resolution line chart, optimized for mobile
Alternative high resolution line chart
Scatterplot
Portable line chart (png)
Portable line chart (png), optimized for mobile
Line chart for only The distance between Neptune and the Sun
Line chart for only Air pollution in New York City
AI-generated correlation image
The spurious research paper: The Cosmic Connection: Exploring the Relationship between Neptune's Distance from the Sun and Air Pollution in the Big Apple

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You're the correlation whisperer we needed!

Correlation ID: 1977 · Black Variable ID: 1932 · Red Variable ID: 20976


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