> Technically, it means an object of finite spatial extent surrounded by vacuum, and nothing else in the entire universe. Obviously that's an idealization.
Reminds me of Fritz Zwicky's "spherical bastards". Although unrelated, my physics prof that taught thermo introduced spherical bastards as an aside after stating we'd basically assume all bodies are spherical when calculating thermo transfers. This prof was where I learned that Zwicky often referred to some colleagues as "spherical bastards", and when when questioned why, he responded: "because no which way you look at them, they're a bastard." I'm sad I can't remember the prof's name; he was quite a character, a short, squat old man. Just add a beard and appropriate clothing, he'd have played a good Santa Clause. He had a minor role in the Manhattan Project, and would often share stories. Lectures were always fun. One of the few classes I never skipped.
Reminds me of Fritz Zwicky's "spherical bastards". Although unrelated, my physics prof that taught thermo introduced spherical bastards as an aside after stating we'd basically assume all bodies are spherical when calculating thermo transfers. This prof was where I learned that Zwicky often referred to some colleagues as "spherical bastards", and when when questioned why, he responded: "because no which way you look at them, they're a bastard." I'm sad I can't remember the prof's name; he was quite a character, a short, squat old man. Just add a beard and appropriate clothing, he'd have played a good Santa Clause. He had a minor role in the Manhattan Project, and would often share stories. Lectures were always fun. One of the few classes I never skipped.