Ptolemy's Epicycles Reconstruct Homer Simpson
Santiago Ginnobili · Demo · YouTube title: Ptolemy and Homer (Simpson)
Why it's here
HN uses it as a vivid demonstration that Fourier series and epicycles can fit anything, and as a warning about models with too much wiggle room.
What it covers
A short animation reconstructing a planet's looping orbit using Ptolemy's epicycles and deferents, with the epicycles tracing out the face of Homer Simpson. It shows how enough circles can reproduce nearly any shape.