[blacksmoke]

Okay, so it is probably not the most frequently asked question about Hanso or the Dharma initiative, but there are a variety of theories as to why the number of minutes between each time Desmond (and now, the losties) must push the button, was chosen as 108. Some argue it was random selection, or that there is something 54 minutes walk away from the hatch which Hanso did not want the scientists to ever encounter. After poking around and doing some research, I found out that there are quite a few reasons for Dharma could have chosen this number, which support the links others have already made.

Firstly, we know that it is the sum of 'the numbers' is 108 (i know, old news lol). Secondly, the angles within an octagon (Eg. The Dharma initiative Logos) are a sum of 1080 degrees (in normal space). Thirdly, the distance between the earth and the sun equals about 108 times the sun’s diameter. Likewise, the distance between the earth and the moon equals about 108 times the moon’s diameter. And don't wet yourself, but it so happens that the sun’s diameter approximately equals 108 times the earth’s diameter.

*everyone claps*

Okay so its boring. But wait, theres more! The number 108 is immensely important and considered holy in both Buddhist and Hindu religion (of which many forum members have seen other signs of within the show), for example Hindu dieties have exactly 108 names. Likewise, Chinese astrology firmly holds that there are 108 sacred stars in the sky.

And, if all else fails, it was the name of an album by a punk band called 'Krishnacore'.

Of course, none of this is very groundbreaking or important, but it adds some different views on another number which before now, I didn't think much about. If I've made any errors (as I so often do) please message them to me and I'll modify (A big thanks to Nicky!) ! Otherwise, have a good day and sorry for boring you lol. As always, namaste. 

[Nicky]

The Dharma logo's are octagons! And the interior angles of Octagons are 135 degrees. The sum total of an octagons interior angles is 1080

[Steveagain]

Okay, so it is probably not the most frequently asked question about Hanso or the Dharma initiative, but there are a variety of theories as to why the number of minutes between each time Desmond (and now, the losties) must push the button, was chosen as 108.
<snip>
Okay so its boring. But wait, theres more! The number 108 is immensely important and considered holy in both Buddhist and Hindu religion (of which many forum members have seen other signs of within the show), for example Hindu dieties have exactly 108 names. Likewise, Chinese astrology firmly holds that there are 108 sacred stars in the sky.

And, if all else fails, it was the name of an album by a punk band called 'Krishnacore'.

Of course, none of this is very groundbreaking or important, but it adds some different views on another number which before now, I didn't think much about. If I've made any errors (as I so often do) please message them to me and I'll modify (A big thanks to Nicky!) ! Otherwise, have a good day and sorry for boring you lol. As always, namaste. 

For more info on 108 you might like to see ~
http://koenraadelst.bharatvani.org/articles/misc/why108.html

A lot of thought was put into "The Numbers", what a pitty if there had been less thought put in to them and they added up to 107 or 109 instead !

[where100]

It takes 108 minutes for a sattelite to revolve around the earth.

[Dharma-815]

It takes 108 minutes for a sattelite to revolve around the earth.

Hmmm some kind of link to a satellite sounds interesting.

[youalleverybody]

I think there's something in one of the "big theories" about the computer having to download updated information from a dharma satellite every 108 minutes to get the latest weather info or hanso software updates or whatever.  This isn't a fact- it's from the theories thread.  Sounds like a good reason to have to input a code though, and I guess it matches up with how long it takes a satellite to get around.  Pretty damn fast if you ask me.

[Lockdown]

I checked the satellite info and it turns out it takes approx. 100 minutes for a satellite to travel in polar orbit. Although I think this varies depending on the altitude of the satellite. Its not far off tho.

[Steveagain]

I checked the satellite info and it turns out it takes approx. 100 minutes for a satellite to travel in polar orbit. Although I think this varies depending on the altitude of the satellite. Its not far off tho.

A satellite in a 108 min orbit is very low and not going to be up there for long, certianly not for the number of years since the Dharma Initiative was founded

Low orbits were originaly used in the early days because that was as high as they could get them, a geostationary orbit is one that takes 24 hours ( it sits over the same spot above the Earth since it takes 24 hours for the earth to also revolve ).

For Example ~ Telstar was in a 157 min orbit and was able to provide 20 mins comunication time before it moved over the horizon, it was eventualy killed by radiation from the Van Alan belt that it was obiting in

i think we can forget the satellite theory

Reference ~ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telstar

[Lockdown]

you have geostationary satellites and polar ones. Polar ones orbit at a much faster rate, I don't know what their lifetime is tho. I don't see why it would be any less than geostationary ones tho. As they're above the atmosphere, there is no air resistance to slow them down so for propulsion, it would initially require more power to set them in orbit at the higher speed, but i don't see why they wouldn't last as much after that.

Either way, as blacksmoke pointed out in another thread. The button doing something with a satellite doesn't add up as they are pressing the button within 4 minutes of 108 minutes, and so they would eventually go out of sync.

[blacksmoke]

Either way, as blacksmoke pointed out in another thread. The button doing something with a satellite doesn't add up as they are pressing the button within 4 minutes of 108 minutes, and so they would eventually go out of sync.

Yeah, I was just gonna point that out. 
It's a pity that came to mind, because otherwise I really like that theory.
I've also been re-reading my psych notes from last year on B. F. Skinner (mentioned in initiation video) as to why Desmond may be in the hatch - thread soon lol.

[turnkey213]

I can't buy the satalite idea, we watch them exicute the numbers in less that 108 minutes.  This would logically mean that they would be ahead at least a minute or two each time the exicute.  Over the space of several years they would not be in line with a satalite. 
P.S. this is my first post, I'm new to all this....

[Lockdown]

Welcome to the forum!
That was what I was saying in my post. Well thats what blacksmoke was saying, that I copied (must give credit where credit is due ). I'm gonna take a bold stab and say there is a definite link between the button being pressed, the electromagnetic field through the concrete wall, and the blast doors. During the discussion between Desmond and Jack about why press the button, what if it does nothing, Desmond brings the magnetic field up, saying his fillings hurt whenever he walks past it (speaking of which can mercury fillings be magnetized?).

[Yuzi]

The Sattelite theory was discussed quite sum time ago, There was an article on the web sumwhere a website infact, if i remember correctly, where an experiment to monitor swans was taking place using a Satellite that orbitted the earth and reached over the same spot 108 minutes.  I believe it was an actual thing that you could participate in.  But the whole theory was put out of the window with the "out-of-sync" point as BD and LD so rightfully mentioned.  I'll see if i can dig up the link at sum point and post it in here!

That's a very interesting article SteveAgain (karma'd).  The author seems to make sum very avlid points, about how perspective plays a great deal into things!

I agree with LD about the button having to do with the electromagnetic feild, and i'm very interested in finding out what the whole deal with the Blast Doors is!

[Steveagain]

you have geostationary satellites and polar ones. Polar ones orbit at a much faster rate, I don't know what their lifetime is tho. I don't see why it would be any less than geostationary ones tho. As they're above the atmosphere, there is no air resistance to slow them down so for propulsion, it would initially require more power to set them in orbit at the higher speed, but i don't see why they wouldn't last as much after that.

The orbit of a polar orbiting satellite would only pass the same point on the earths surface twice a day as the earth revolves within the ring of the orbit, reference ~
http://www-istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/Education/wlopolar.html

Low earth orbiting satellites tend to have a lifespan of 100 days or less due to drag, reference ~
http://data.engin.umich.edu/sets/papers/West.reno01.PDF

[HansoFoundation]

108 is the sum of "the numbers"