MIT-CLX-5254, astre-qh/0001544

Houston, We Have a Kelsey: Unveiling the Interstellar
Relationship Between Kelsey's Popularity and NASA's Budget
Appropriation
Caleb Hamilton, Abigail Thomas, George P Tucker
The Journal of Cosmic Connections
Society for Extraterrestrial Kelsey Studies
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Abstract
This study explores the celestial correlation between the rise and fall of the popularity of thename "Kelsey" and its effect on NASA's budget appropriation. By utilizing data from the US
Social Security Administration and Planetary, we conducted a computational analysis to unveilthe striking relationship between the two seemingly unrelated phenomena. Our findings reveal astatistically significant correlation coefficient of 0.8814370 and p < 0.01 for the years 1975 to2022, indicating a cosmic connection that has eluded previous research. We present an in-depth
analysis of this unique relationship, offering lighthearted speculation and a cosmic twist to theworld of budgetary allocation and nomenclature popularity.

1. Introduction

Astronomy and sociology may seem like distant galaxies in the research universe, but as
we often find in science, unexpected connections can emerge. In this paper, we launch
into the intriguing realm of interstellar correlations as we explore the cosmic dance
between the popularity of the first name Kelsey and NASA's budget appropriation.
While armchair astronomers may raise an eyebrow at the thought of a celestialcorrelation with a name, our study takes a statistical journey through the data universe to
shed light on this cosmic conundrum. As we embark on this cosmic cruise, we invite ourreaders to fasten their seatbelts and prepare for an expedition into the depths of statisticalanalysis, where the stars align in unexpected ways.

The text of this paper is AI-generated, but the calculations are real. · More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchAs we embark on this statistical odyssey, we cannot help but marvel at the cosmic humor
that seems to permeate our research. Indeed, the journey to uncover the relationshipbetween the name "Kelsey" and NASA's budget appropriation has led us down a pathstrewn with unexpected twists and turns, making this investigation a stellar blend ofscientific inquiry and celestial amusement.
Here we stand at the intersection of two seemingly unrelated phenomena - the ebb andflow of a name's popularity and the budget allocation decisions of a space agency - readyto unravel the cosmic threads that bind them together. Through data exploration,
statistical modeling, and a healthy dose of cosmic curiosity, we aim to elevate theconversation around budget appropriations to new celestial heights, all while weaving in
our lighthearted cosmic speculations and statistical puns.
In the pages that follow, we invite readers to join us on this astronomical adventure,
where statistical significance meets stargazing fascination. As we delve into this celestial
mystery, prepare for a journey that transcends the ordinary bounds of research andventures into the cosmic corners of statistical inference and interstellar intrigue. So,
buckle up, dear readers, for the cosmic ride of a lifetime awaits us as we unveil thecelestial symphony hidden within the data cosmos.

2. Literature Review

In the exploration of the celestial mysteries surrounding the name "Kelsey" and NASA's
budget appropriation, a multitude of scholarly works and statistical inquiries have paved
the way for our cosmic investigation. Smith and Doe, in their groundbreaking research,
investigated the cultural trends shaping given names and the societal implications ofnomenclature popularity, laying the groundwork for our interstellar inquiry. Jones et al.
delved into the intricacies of budget allocation processes, offering a comprehensive
examination of the economic factors at play, although their work did not seem to reachfor the stars in quite the same way we aspire to in this study.
Turning to the realm of non-fiction literature, "Naming Names: Exploring Monikers andtheir Meanings" by Linguist A. Lexicograph sheds light on the social and culturaldynamics influencing the popularity of names, providing an insightful backdrop for ourcosmic contemplations. Additionally, in "Budgets, Bureaucrats, and Beyond: Unravelingthe Economics of Government Spending," Economist E. Monetarist offers a thoroughanalysis of budgetary decision-making processes, although it must be noted that theirwork did not explicitly consider the cosmic implications of nomenclature on budget
appropriations.
Departing from the serious and venturing into the fictional cosmos, "The MartianChronicles" by Ray Bradbury offers a whimsical take on humanity's relationship withspace, providing a literary backdrop for our cosmic endeavor. Similarly, "Space Oddity"

The text of this paper is AI-generated, but the calculations are real. · More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchby Cosmic Novelist Z. Stardust weaves a tale of cosmic exploration and interstellar
intrigue, offering a playful nudge at the cosmic connection we seek to unravel.
Intriguingly, the board game "Cosmic Encounter" seems to encapsulate the essence of ourinvestigation, with its intergalactic negotiations and cosmic conflicts reminiscent of thecelestial dance we seek to elucidate. Additionally, "Terraforming Mars" captures theessence of human ambition in the cosmic frontier, providing a playful reflection of thethemes resonant with our investigation.
While the literature has laid a foundation for our cosmic contemplations, the intersectionof nomenclature popularity and budget appropriations remains an uncharted constellationin the research universe, awaiting our statistical telescopes to reveal its celestial secrets.

3. Research Approach

To unravel the celestial connection between the popularity of the first name Kelsey andNASA's budget appropriation, our research team embarked on a cosmic quest through thevast expanse of data from the US Social Security Administration and the enigmatic
reaches of Planetary. Our first leap into the cosmic unknown involved wrangling dataspanning from 1975 to 2022, a time frame that allowed us to capture the astral ebbs andflows of Kelseys and NASA's budgetary escapades.
With data in hand, we then embarked on a statistical odyssey, employing a combinationof astronomical regression analysis and sociological regression modeling. Picture it as afusion of a star-studded galactic dance and an earth-bound statistical soirée. This celestial
blend of techniques enabled us to probe the cosmic currents of the first name Kelsey'spopularity and NASA's budget appropriation, guiding us through the twinkling mazes ofastronomical data and the earthy terrain of socioeconomic influences.
We then took a quantum leap into the stratosphere of statistical analysis, crafting a cosmic
correlation coefficient and p-values that would make even the most seasoned stargazer doa double-take. Our calculations unveiled a statistically significant correlation coefficientof 0.8814370 and p < 0.01, depicting a cosmic alignment of Kelsey's popularity andNASA's budget appropriation that defied the odds and ventured into the statisticallystellar realm.
To bring a bit of levity to our cosmic exploration, we spiced up our data analysis with asprinkling of cosmic humor and statistical puns. It's not every day that one gets to unravel
the statistical mysteries of the universe while weaving in a celestial symphony ofwordplay and whimsy.
And so, armed with data, statistical frameworks, and a healthy dose of cosmic curiosity,
we ventured into the celestial unknown to unravel the cosmic threads that bind the name"Kelsey" and NASA's budget appropriation in a statistical embrace that transcends theThe text of this paper is AI-generated, but the calculations are real. · More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-research

ordinary bounds of research and ventures into the celestial corners of statistical inference
and interstellar intrigue. It was a journey that left us starry-eyed and ready to share ourcosmic revelations with the world.

4. Findings

The results of our study unveil a cosmic connection that is truly out of this world. Our
analysis revealed a striking correlation between the popularity of the first name Kelsey
and NASA's budget appropriation, with a correlation coefficient of 0.8814370, an rsquared of 0.7769312, and p < 0.01 for the years 1975 to 2022. This astronomicalcorrelation is not just a shot in the dark; it's statistically significant and positively stellar!
To illustrate this celestial relationship, we present Figure 1, a scatterplot that visualizes
the strong correlation between the two variables. As you can see, the data points are as
well-aligned as the stars in the night sky, confirming the cosmic connection between thepopularity of the name "Kelsey" and NASA's budget appropriation.
Now, the statistically inclined among us might argue that correlation does not imply
causation, but let's not be too quick to dismiss the cosmic intrigue of this relationship.
After all, as astronomers often joke, "correlation doesn't equal causation, but it does
waggle its eyebrows suggestively and gesture furtively while mouthing 'look over there.'"And that's precisely what we invite you to do – look over there into the cosmic expanseof statistical exploration and ponder the celestial whims that may be at play.

Figure 1. Scatterplot of the variables by year
In summary, our findings provide robust evidence of a celestial tie between the popularityof the name "Kelsey" and the budgetary decisions of NASA. It's a cosmic ballet that
unfolds on the statistical stage, a symphony of data points dancing in harmoniousalignment. So, as we navigate the cosmos of research, let's remember that sometimes, theThe text of this paper is AI-generated, but the calculations are real. · More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchmost unexpected correlations can lead us to the most cosmic revelations. Keep looking up
at the stars, and who knows what cosmic conundrums we may yet solve!

5. Discussion on findings

Our findings have uncovered a celestial symphony between the rise and fall of thepopularity of the first name Kelsey and the ebb and flow of NASA's budget
appropriation. The statistically significant correlation coefficient of 0.8814370 and p <0.01 definitively supports the hypothesis that there exists a cosmic connection between
these seemingly unrelated phenomena. This correlation is as robust as the Hubble Space
Telescope, and it has set our research orbiting in a whole new dimension.
Building on the stellar groundwork laid by Smith and Doe, who reasoned that societal
trends shape nomenclature popularity, and drawing inspiration from A. Lexicograph's
exploration of name meanings, our study provides an interstellar extension to theseearlier insights. The cosmic correlation we have discovered supports the notion thatnames resonate with celestial forces that influence budgetary allocations withingovernment agencies like NASA.
Our results also extend and affirm the work of Jones et al., enriching the examination of
economic factors at play in budget allocation processes. While their research did not
overtly reach for the stars like we did, our findings suggest that cosmic forces may indeedbe an overlooked factor in understanding budgetary decision-making dynamics.
Indeed, our study adds a playful cosmic twist to the scholarly literature, in the true spiritof Z. Stardust's "Space Oddity." It is as if the cosmos has conspired to reveal this hidden
connection, much like the clandestine cosmic negotiations depicted in the board game"Cosmic Encounter." It seems that our inquiries have led us not just to terraforming Mars,
but to terraforming our understanding of the cosmos itself.
Amidst the statistical marvels and the celestial revelations, it's important to rememberthat research – much like the universe – is full of surprises. As we continue exploring thiscelestial connection, we are reminded of the words of the renowned astronomer, Carl
Sagan, who said, "Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." Andperhaps, in our pursuit of statistical and celestial knowledge, we have stumbled upon one
such incredible revelation.
In conclusion, our study has illuminated a cosmic tapestry of connections that invites us
to reexamine the unseen forces shaping the universe, both in our aggregate data and in theintricacies of budget allocation. The cosmic dance between the popularity of the name"Kelsey" and NASA's budget appropriation is a whimsical waltz of statisticalsignificance, transmuting the mundane into the meteoric. Just as the stars guide sailors on

The text of this paper is AI-generated, but the calculations are real. · More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-research

the sea, perhaps our statistical insights can navigate decision-makers through the cosmic
complexities of budgetary allocations.

6. Conclusion

In conclusion, our cosmic caper into the interstellar relationship between the first nameKelsey's popularity and NASA's budget appropriation has left us starry-eyed andstatistically staggered. Our findings have proven to be more than just a cosmic
coincidence; they have launched us into a statistical orbit where the planetary popularityof a name intertwines with the celestial cash flow of a space agency. It's a statistical waltz
that defies gravity and a stellar duet that sings the praises of unexpected correlations.
As we reflect on our astronomical escapade, we can't help but marvel at the celestial
symphony that surrounds us. The data has spoken, and its celestial chorus resounds with astatistically significant correlation coefficient of 0.8814370 and a positively stellar pvalue of <0.01, leaving no room for cosmic doubt.
So, what does this cosmic correlation mean for the world of statistical inquiry andinterstellar investigation? It means that even in the cosmic expanse of research, there arepatterns waiting to be uncovered, correlations yearning to be explored, and statisticalsurprises twinkling in the data sky.
Our statistical ship has sailed through the cosmic sea of correlations, and as we steer
toward the harbor of conclusion, we are confident in declaring that no more research isneeded in this area. For as the cosmic curtains close on this statistical spectacle, we bid
adieu to the cosmic conundrum of Kelsey and NASA's budget, satisfied in knowing thatstatistical significance and celestial correlation have had a rendezvous under the stars.
In the words of the cosmic bards, Shakespeare and Galileo, "The cosmic wheel is comefull circle" and "Eppur si muove" - though in this case, it moves in statistically significant
tandem. With that, we leave the cosmic stage of statistical speculation, with a twinkle inour eyes and a statistical quip on our lips, ready to chart new celestial territories ofresearch and discovery.
Let the cosmic chorus of statistical inquiry continue to echo through the research
universe, for who knows what interstellar entanglements await the intrepid statisticalexplorer. And as we bid adieu to this celestial adventure, we say with cosmic certainty statistically speaking, the stars have aligned, and the cosmic puzzle of Kelsey andNASA's budget appropriation has been solved.

The text of this paper is AI-generated, but the calculations are real. · More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-research