Ever Wondered The Actual Science Behind The Trending Möth And Lamp Memes?

The Möth Memes are the hottest memes that recently dominated the web, and National Geographic decided to take it a step further...

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  • 01

    Moths are nocturnal creatures who happen to travel by the glimmer of the moonlight

    Cartoon - CAPTAIN! WE'RE HEADING TOWARDS THE LIGHTHOUSE! I know Bröther
    via KnowYourMeme

    and 'lamp' confuses their instinctual navigation system, which is a method called Transverse orientation.

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  • 02

    So what does that even mean?

    Games - LIMP Tuerica's Game THING I'd like to solve the puzzle MOTH $12,000 $6,000 $24,000
    via KnowYourMeme

    Transverse orientation is like us using the North star to determine which way is North. 

  • 03

    But why are they pulled towards a light that can ultimately kill them?

    Moths and butterflies - Believe in something. Even if it's flying into a fucking lightbulb and burning to death. Just do it
    via KnowYourMeme

    The evolution of the moth wasn't prepared for the modern worlds use of light around-the-clock. The light disturbs the moth's transverse orientation, thus, drawing them into their doom.

  • 04

    Moths believe they've reached the moon

    Cartoon - IS THIS MY ENTIRE LIFE?
    via KnowYourMeme

    Lynn Kimsey, professor of Entomology at UC Davis, perfectly describes the use of electricity and light to National Geographic as, "artificial moons," in which we created, that have caused the moths to go "awry."

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  • 05

    Moths have "miniature telescopes" in their eyes that tune to faint light

    Clip art
    via KnowYourMeme

    And when faced with such an insanely powerful artificial illumination we create, the moth simply cannot resist.

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    In the end, the Moth and the Lamp share a classic and tragic tale as star-crossed lovers

    Text - ollie @moneyfornthn Sep 27, 2018 he was a moth she was a lamp can i make it any more obvious Mac @MKHorts She turned off the light He flew away What more can I say 9:09 AM Sep 28, 2018 9,7711,829 people are talking about this
    via KnowYourMeme

    Much like the infamous Romeo & Juliet

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