by wj
This is really more Dr Science's area. But since she is having problems connecting, I figured someone else needed to put it out there.
Basically, on August 17 (but just formally announced today) astronomers detected both electromagnetic radiations and gravitational radiations for an explosive merging of two neutron stars. These sort of events are thought to be responsible for creating everything from iodine (without which life as we know it doesn't happen) to gold to uranium. They are not thought to be particularly rare, but this is the first time one has been observed like this.
It made the local paper, as well as the Economist and probably lots of others, so you may have seen it already. But what you might have missed is today's NASA "Astronomy Picture of the Day", which has a video that is simply awesome.
Would this have happened on Obama's watch? Doubtful.
Posted by: Ugh | October 16, 2017 at 03:42 PM
Would this have happened on Obama's watch? Doubtful.
Now watch this putt.
Posted by: Snarki, child of Loki | October 16, 2017 at 04:00 PM
No, no! Pay no attention to this putt. Just believe what I tell you about how well I did it.
Posted by: wj | October 16, 2017 at 04:09 PM
happy birthday, all you many Avagadro's Numbers of cesium nuclei !
Posted by: cleek_with_a_fake_beard | October 16, 2017 at 04:24 PM
"only 130 million light years distant." A matter of perspective.
Posted by: Priest | October 16, 2017 at 04:43 PM
Probably fewer than 5000 stars within 130 light years, so 'only' seems appropriate,
Positive neighbours.
Posted by: Nigel | October 16, 2017 at 05:16 PM
130 light years is "close". 130 MILLION is 6 orders of magnitude farther, though admittedly 2 orders of magnitude below the limit of the observable universe.
Posted by: Priest | October 16, 2017 at 05:21 PM
Stephen Richard Berger
Posted by: JanieM | October 16, 2017 at 08:13 PM
YAY! I have Internet back!
*HEADDESK* I can't find my reading glasses. Hopefully I'll be back tomorrow ...
Posted by: Doctor Science | October 16, 2017 at 10:24 PM
Andrea Lee Anna Castilla
Posted by: Countme-a-Demon | October 17, 2017 at 08:44 AM
"130 MILLION "
My bad - stupid reading error.
Posted by: Nigel | October 17, 2017 at 06:44 PM
Erick Silva
Posted by: Countme-a-Demon | October 18, 2017 at 09:43 AM
Thanks for reminding of the site, haven't been there in a couple years, currently downloading wallpapers
Posted by: bob mcmanus | October 18, 2017 at 09:02 PM