The Journal of Interplanetary Relations and Reproductive Science (2024) 34, 53-62

Available online at www.tylervigen.com

ELSERVER

Ringed Planet’s Orbit and Desire to Procreate: A
Statistical Analysis
Chloe Hernandez, Aaron Thomas, Gregory P Tillman
Center for Sciences; Evanston, Illinois

Abstract
This research delves into the curiously captivating correlation between the distance of Saturn from theSun and the frequency of Google searches for ‘how to make baby’. Using data meticulously obtained fromAstropy and Google Trends, we scrutinized the intriguing relationship over the period of 2004 to 2023.
Our findings illuminated a remarkably robust correlation coefficient of 0.9667127 and a statisticallysignificant p-value of less than 0.01. It seems that as Saturn and the Sun dance through the celestial
expanse, human curiosity about procreation waxes and wanes, much like the phases of the moon. Our
results suggest that there is indeed a celestial sway over earthly desires, prompting the question: are we
merely puppets of the planets in our quest for offspring? Or is it simply the "Saturn effect", where distancefrom the ringed planet rings in changes in procreative pondering?
Copyleft 2024 Center for Sciences. No rights reserved.

1. Introduction
The pursuit of knowledge has long been
an essential part of human existence.
Whether it be the quest for cosmic
understanding or the more earthly desires
related to procreation, humanity’s curiosity
seems to know no bounds. In this study, wedelve into a curious correlation and seek toshed light on the perplexing question ofwhether celestial movements can influence
the desire to start a family. As we explore
the tantalizing link between the distance ofSaturn from the Sun and the frequency of
Google searches for ‘how to make baby’,

we aim to bring a blend of statistical rigor
and cosmic humor to the discussion.
Speaking of the cosmic, did you hear
about the astronomer who always wanted to
be a statistician? He thought it was a stellar
career choice!
Our study capitalizes on the expansive
dataset procured from Astropy and Google
Trends, combining astronomical data with
the intricacies of human behavior. We
analyze the period from 2004 to 2023, atime span that spans both astronomical andsocietal shifts. The question at hand evokes

This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researcha pun-worthy quote from the famous
physicist
Carl
Sagan:"Somewhere,
something incredible is waiting to be known– perhaps even the statistical relationshipbetween celestial bodies and humanfertility!"
On a more serious note, the implicationsof our findings could be far-reaching. If a
correlation between the distance of a planet
and procreative curiosity is indeed
established, it prompts us to contemplatethe intricate interplay between celestialmechanics and human psychology. Are we
unwittingly swayed by the grand celestialballet, or is this correlation a mere statisticalcuriosity, masking more earthly drivers ofdesire?
Remember, folks, correlation does not
imply causation – no matter how much it
might align with our cosmic curiosity! But it
sure does give us some food for thought. Or
maybe in this case, some space for thought!

2. Literature Review
In "Celestial Bodies and HumanBehavior," Smith et al. explore the intriguing
relationship between planetary positions
and human psychology, suggesting thatcelestial movements may indeed influence
earthly desires, including reproductive
inclinations. Their comprehensive analysisof astrological data alongside sociologicaltrendsprovidesathought-provoking
foundation for our own inquiry. However,they stop short of investigating the specificinterplay between Saturn's distance fromthe Sun and the quest for progeny, leaving
an uncharted frontier for our study toexplore.
Speaking of uncharted frontiers, haveyou heard about the restaurant on themoon? Great food, no atmosphere!
Doe et al., in "Planetary Positioning andSocial Trends," delve into astrologicalphenomena's potential impact on humanbehavior,
drawing
attention
totheunderappreciated influence of celestialbodies on terrestrial affairs. Their work
substantiates the broader notion of cosmic
influencesonhumanpsychology.
Nevertheless, their focus remains broad,and they do not delve into the peculiar
relationshipweinvestigate
between
Saturn's orbit and the urge to procreate. Our
study aims to fill this celestial gap in theexisting literature—a gap as vast as the
expanse between Saturn and the Sun.
Here they called it a "celestial gap," but I
think I'd call it a "statistical black hole" given
how much it pulls you in!
Jones et al., in "Cosmic Connections to
Earthly Desires," shed light on theinterconnectedness of celestial events andhuman yearnings, hinting at the deeper
mysteries that intertwine the cosmos andhuman consciousness. Their examination ofastrology's potential influence on earthly
pursuits sets the stage for our investigation
into the specific nuances of Saturn'scelestial dance and its resonance withprocreative impulses. Their work serves asa launching pad for our statistical journey tounravel the cosmic code of fertility-related
planetary motions.
Now, for some recommended reading,consider "Astrophysics for Babies" by Chris
Ferrie and "What to Expect When You'reExpecting" by Heidi Murkoff. These twoseemingly unrelated books underscore thebreadth of our investigation, spanning thecosmic and the earthly - or perhaps thecosmic and the birthly!
If we were to explore fictional works that
may offer cosmic insights, "The Hitchhiker's
Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams
and "The Martian" by Andy Weir could
provideimaginative
perspectivesoninterplanetary musings. While not directly
related to our empirical analysis, theycertainly add a touch of cosmic whimsy toThis paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-research

our literature review—a literary supernova, if
you will.

clouded by data that was out of this world in
more ways than one!

And when it comes to board games,"Galaxy Trucker" and "Terraforming Mars"
may not directly address our researchquestion, but they offer a playful nod to thecelestial realm and the potential allure ofspace-faring endeavors. Who knows,
perhaps a game night under the stars could
spark celestial musings on the cosmic
origins of procreative yearnings!

Next, we employed a robust statistical
approach, utilizing powerful tools to unveil
the celestial whispers hidden within ourdata. Our analysis relied on sophisticatedtechniques, including linear regression, totease out the statistical relationship between
the distance of Saturn from the Sun and thefrequency of Google searches for 'how tomake baby'. As we crunched the numbers, it
felt like unraveling the cosmic dance of theplanets – but with a statistical twist!

3. Our approach & methods
Traversing the cosmic and earthly realms
demanded a methodological approach as
robust as the rings of Saturn themselves.
Our data collection involved a combinationof astronomical calculations from Astropy
and Google search trends from Google
Trends. The data spanned from 2004 to2023, encompassing the ebb and flow ofboth celestial phenomena and humaninquiries into the mysteries of conception.
To determine the distance between Saturnand the Sun, we harnessed the power ofAstropy, extracting precise astronomicalmeasurements
likeaskilled
astrocartographer. What can I say? We
really had to reach for the stars in thisresearch!
The frequency of Google searches for ‘how
to make baby’ was our gauge of humanprocreative curiosity. We donned ourstatistical spacesuits and navigated throughthe vast expanse of Google Trends,
capturing the digital echoes of humanponderings. It's amazing how the internet
can both illuminate and perplex, much likethe cosmic mysteries we sought to unravel.
We then conducted a thorough preprocessing of the data, scrubbing away any
digital anomalies or cosmic static that might
obscure our cosmic comedies. We wanted
to ensure that our statistical analysis wasn't

And much like the tilt of Saturn's rings, ourapproach considered potential confounding
variables, ensuring that our findings weren't
simply a statistical alignment of stars. We
explored the potential influence of otherastronomical factors, societal trends, andthe occasional cosmic ray that might haveinfluenced our results.
Throughout the data analysis, we also paid
heed to the fundamental principle: "To err ishuman, but to really mess things up
requires a computer". So, we carefully
scrutinized every digital step to ensure ourstatistical spaceship didn't veer off course
into the statistical black hole.
Our efforts culminated in the unveiling of aremarkably robust correlation coefficient of
0.9667127 and a statistically significant pvalue of less than 0.01. It seemed as though
the celestial ballet between Saturn and theSun indeed cast a statistical shadow onEarthly desires.
As we reveal the cosmic sway over earthly
intent, it's hard not to wonder: does thiscorrelation underscore a universal truth, or
are we just witnessing a statistical mirageamong the stars? We might never know for
certain, but as astrophysicist Neil deGrasse
Tyson once said, "The good thing about
science is that it's true whether or not you
believe in it – much like the statistical
relationship between Saturn's orbit andhuman procreative curiosity!"This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchAnd with that, we conclude ourmethodological odyssey, leaving you with athought to ponder: in the realm of science,
every discovery is but a step towards
greater understanding. But there's always
time for a few asteroid-sized puns along theway!

astronomical association
confluence of sorts!

–acosmic

4. Results
The analysis of the relationship between
the distance of Saturn from the Sun and thefrequency of Google searches for ‘how tomake baby’ revealed a striking correlation
coefficient of 0.9667127. This strong
correlation suggests that as Saturn moves
closer or farther away from the Sun in its
elliptical orbit, there is a corresponding
surge or ebb in the curious searches related
to procreation. It seems that Saturn's
distance, much like a distant parent, has thepower to influence human desires from afar.
The r-squared value of 0.9345334
indicates that approximately 93.45% of thevariability in the frequency of Google
searches for 'how to make baby' can be
explained by the distance between Saturnand the Sun. This close association
between the variables further strengthens
the case for a celestial influence on humanprocreative contemplation. It's as if theplanets have pulled back the cosmic curtain,
revealing their role in our earthly endeavors.
Perhaps Shakespeare was onto something
when he mused about the "fault… in ourstars"!
The p-value of less than 0.01 provides
strong evidence against the null hypothesisof no relationship between the distance ofSaturn from the Sun and Google searches
for 'how to make baby'. This statisticallysignificant finding leads us to reject thenotion that the celestial dance of Saturn andthe Sun has no impact on the collective
curiosity about starting a family. It's as if thestatistical stars aligned to reveal thisFigure 1. Scatterplot of the variables by year

*Cue drumroll* Fig. 1 presents a
scatterplot illustrating the conspicuous
correlation between the distance of Saturnfrom the Sun and the frequency of Google
searches for 'how to make baby'. As
celestial bodies maintain their celestialballet, humans appear to be swayed by theirdistant
movements,
promptinganinvestigation of the cosmic nudges on our
procreative musings. It's as if the universe isexclaiming, "You're not the only one with
influential orbits!"
These findings highlight the need forfurther exploration of the interplay between
celestial mechanics and human behavior.
As we look to the skies and the searchengines for answers, we cannot help but
wonder: are we merely planets in the vast
cosmic system, or do we hold the reins in
the celestial comedy of errors? Either way,
we can't deny the appeal of uncovering
statistical stardust in the most unexpected
correlations.

5. Discussion

The findings of our research have shed lighton the intriguing connection between thedistance of Saturn from the Sun and theThis paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchfrequency of Google searches for 'how tomake baby'. Our results, with a remarkably
robust correlation coefficient and astatistically significant p-value, echo andextend the prior research, pointing to acompelling celestial influence on humanprocreative contemplation. It appears that
Saturn's movements through its ellipticalorbit are indeed intertwined with the ebb
and flow of human curiosity about starting afamily. One might even say that the ringed
planet's orbit exerts a celestial pull on ourearthly desires, much like a captivating
bedtime story from a distant celestial body.
As we delve deeper into the statisticalsignificance of our findings, we encounter
an astronomical array of implications. The
strong correlation coefficient of 0.9667127
underscores the substantial association
between the distance of Saturn from theSun and the frequency of Google searches
for 'how to make baby'. It seems thatSaturn's orbital waltz with the Sun holds
sway over the collective human inclination
toward procreation, creating a gravitational
pull on our curiosity and sparking a cosmic
interest in the origins of our own terrestrial
inception.
The statistical prowess exhibited by the rsquared value of 0.9345334 further
solidifies the profound connection between
Saturn's celestial journey and the collective
human intrigue about procreation. This
close association substantiates the notionthat the celestial dance of Saturn and theSun accounts for a significant portion of thevariability in the frequency of 'how to makebaby' searches. One might even go so far
as to say that Saturn's orbit serves as acosmicconductor,orchestrating
thesymphony of human curiosity toward thecreation of new life.
The p-value of less than 0.01 acts as ashining star in our statistical firmament,
providing compelling evidence against thenull hypothesis and affirming the presenceof a tangible relationship between the

distance of Saturn from the Sun and Google
searches for 'how to make baby'. It is as if
the statistical heavens have aligned toreveal the celestial dance's profound impact
on human procreative contemplation,
reminding us that even in the vast expanseof the universe, statistical significanceknows no bounds.
In conclusion, our research not only aligns
with but also expands upon prior literature,
corroborating the celestial influence onearthly desires. These findings beckon us tofurther explore the cosmic forces at play inshaping human behavior and to ponder theprofound interplay between the celestial andthe birthly. In the words of a celestial
comedian, "I'm just a statistician, standing
on a planet, asking it to explain its cosmicjokes!"

6. Conclusion
In conclusion, our research has shedlight on the delightful correlation between
the distance of Saturn from the Sun and thefrequency of Google searches for 'how tomake baby'. It appears that as the ringed
planet and our radiant Sun twirl through thecosmos, human curiosity about procreation
waxes and wanes, much like the phases ofthe moon, or, if you will, the phases of abudding romance. It's as if the celestialbodies are engaging in a celestial
matchmaking service, playing cupid fromlight-years away!
Our findings have revealed a statisticallyrobust correlation coefficient of 0.9667127,indicating a tight gravitational pull between
the variables. This correlation is as strong
as a black hole's gravitational pull – it justsucks you in! The p-value of less than 0.01
provides strong evidence that this is not amere statistical fluke but a bona fide cosmic
conundrum. It seems that when it comes tohuman desires, the planets aren't just inalignment – they're calling the shots fromthe cosmic sidelines!

This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-researchWe must acknowledge the limitations of
our study, which focuses on correlation
rather than causation. Although our findings
hint at a celestial sway over earthly desires,
there may be other astronomical or earthly
factors at play. As they say, the devil is in
the data details – or perhaps, in this case,the interplanetary details!
It is clear that the statistical stars havealigned in our investigation, and we haveunraveled a cosmic mystery that tickles thescientific imagination. However, it isimportant to note that correlation does not
imply causation, just as finding love forstatistics doesn't imply compatibility withother sciences. We may have unveiled
statistical stardust, but the celestial ballet ofcorrelation and causation continues todance in the cosmic expanse, leaving uswith tantalizing questions that defy easyanswers.
Based on the celestial data presented inthis research, it is safe to say that no further
investigation is needed in this area. We
have reached the celestial peak of statisticalinquiry, and it's time to leave this cosmiccorrelation to orbit in the annals of statisticalcuriosities. After all, how much further can
we push the limits of astronomical influenceon earthly desires before we start searchingfor correlations between Martian vacations
and craving for chocolate?

This paper is AI-generated, but the correlation and p-value are real.

More info: tylervigen.com/spurious-research