Way Cool Story Of The day

[Fenian_Bastard]

http://www.itwire.com/content/view/15488/1066/

In the immortal words of Ted (Theodore) Logan:

Whoa.

 

[ondeadline]

For those seeking more info before clicking:

Astronomers announced in August 2007 the discovery of a large hole at the edge of our universe. Since then, theoretical physicist and cosmologist Laura Mersini-Houghton and colleagues have claimed it is an “unmistakable imprint of another universe beyond the edge of our own.”

 

[Ace]

I'm sorry. Where exactly is the hole?

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

In the bucket.

 

[alleyallen]

This link could help with more details, illustrations, etc.

http://www.nrao.edu/pr/2007/coldspot/

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

How is that not just a black hole?

 

[bigpern23]

I'm sorry. Where exactly is the hole?

When are you going to stop asking that? [/mrs.Ace]

How is that not just a black hole?

According to the article, matter is present in the void, but about 20-45 percent less than would be expected. There is no matter in a black hole.

 

[heyabbott]

I'm sorry. Where exactly is the hole?

That's what she said

 

[Ace]

Sorry. The answer I was looking for was near Uranus.

 

[RedHotChiliPrepper]

Eight billion light years away? OK, so say this is another universe beyond our own, what exactly can we do about it? It's not like we as a human race could all pull together and go explore the thing.

I think this is an incredible finding, but what now? Should we all just say wow and move on?

 

[alleyallen]

Red...certainly the fact that it's 8 billion light years away sort of precludes any of US from visiting it. But the fact that another universe very likely could exist is an astounding discovery. It exponetially increases the chance that there's more life out there.

 

[BBJones]

They've finally confirmed the existence of a parallel universe -- where Fenian_Bastard loves George Bush.

 

[Ace]

Red...certainly the fact that it's 8 billion light years away sort of precludes any of US from visiting it. But the fact that another universe very likely could exist is an astounding discovery. It exponetially increases the chance that there's more life out there.

Big deal. They don't write. They never call.

However, Bill Conlin does keep a condo there, I hear.

 

[alleyallen]

Don't know if anyone ever watched the old Cosmos series with Carl Sagan, but in one episode, he did a mathematical formula of the liklihood of potentially habitable planets (not life, but capable of supporting life) within the galaxy. Multiply that by the number of potential galaxies and you get an idea of the number of planets capable of supporting life.

With so many places fitting the bill, surely this isn't the only with that actually has life.

And if there's another universe besides ours? You've got to believe that only increases the chances. Very exciting news, indeed.

 

[RedHotChiliPrepper]

Don't know if anyone ever watched the old Cosmos series with Carl Sagan, but in one episode, he did a mathematical formula of the liklihood of potentially habitable planets (not life, but capable of supporting life) within the galaxy. Multiply that by the number of potential galaxies and you get an idea of the number of planets capable of supporting life.

With so many places fitting the bill, surely this isn't the only with that actually has life.

And if there's another universe besides ours? You've got to believe that only increases the chances. Very exciting news, indeed.

Exciting? Yes. Interesting? Yes.

But OK, now there's better proof there might be more life out there. What can we do about it? Other than the 'wow' factor, what does this all really mean?

 

[alleyallen]

Don't know if anyone ever watched the old Cosmos series with Carl Sagan, but in one episode, he did a mathematical formula of the liklihood of potentially habitable planets (not life, but capable of supporting life) within the galaxy. Multiply that by the number of potential galaxies and you get an idea of the number of planets capable of supporting life.

With so many places fitting the bill, surely this isn't the only with that actually has life.

And if there's another universe besides ours? You've got to believe that only increases the chances. Very exciting news, indeed.

Exciting? Yes. Interesting? Yes.

But OK, now there's better proof there might be more life out there. What can we do about it? Other than the 'wow' factor, what does this all really mean?

I'll put it a different way...

What if we found conclusive proof that there's other life out there. Wouldn't that and shouldn't that motivate us to reach out? Shouldn't we do all we can to speed up the process of space exploration?

Not that 8 billion light years is reachable, but it's like hearing a voice at the other end of the forest and walking the whole way without ever looking at what's around us. If we have an "ultimate" destination, even one that's billions of miles away, shouldn't we think about starting that journey with a couple of steps?

We need to expand our space exploration, not curtail it. Revelations like this should spur greater exploration.

 

[wickedwritah]

What can we do about it? Other than the 'wow' factor, what does this all really mean?

Can you imagine some alien sitting there 8 billion years from now, seeing some tripe come across their TV set?

"Man, does this U.S. TV suck!"

 

[Double Down]

Don't know if anyone ever watched the old Cosmos series with Carl Sagan, but in one episode, he did a mathematical formula of the likelihood of potentially habitable planets (not life, but capable of supporting life) within the galaxy. Multiply that by the number of potential galaxies and you get an idea of the number of planets capable of supporting life.

With so many places fitting the bill, surely this isn't the only with that actually has life.

And if there's another universe besides ours? You've got to believe that only increases the chances. Very exciting news, indeed.

Exciting? Yes. Interesting? Yes.

But OK, now there's better proof there might be more life out there. What can we do about it? Other than the 'wow' factor, what does this all really mean?

It means that it's another step in the infinite possibilities of human discovery. It means theories and ideas developed now, as we speak, will be the foundation for scientists 10 generations from now to further build on. That could mean something as simple as mapping, or it could mean something as preposterous (right now) as space travel to other galaxies and universes.

It means that every time we unlock another one of science's beautiful undiscovered mysteries, we realize behind that door are billions of other mysteries. It's fascinating.

 

[alleyallen]

Don't know if anyone ever watched the old Cosmos series with Carl Sagan, but in one episode, he did a mathematical formula of the likelihood of potentially habitable planets (not life, but capable of supporting life) within the galaxy. Multiply that by the number of potential galaxies and you get an idea of the number of planets capable of supporting life.

With so many places fitting the bill, surely this isn't the only with that actually has life.

And if there's another universe besides ours? You've got to believe that only increases the chances. Very exciting news, indeed.

Exciting? Yes. Interesting? Yes.

But OK, now there's better proof there might be more life out there. What can we do about it? Other than the 'wow' factor, what does this all really mean?

It means that it's another step in the infinite possibilities of human discovery. It means theories and ideas developed now, as we speak, will be the foundation for scientists 10 generations from now to further build on. That could mean something as simple as mapping, or it could mean something as preposterous (right now) as space travel to other galaxies and universes.

It means that every time we unlock another one of science's beautiful undiscovered mysteries, we realize behind that door are billions of other mysteries. It's fascinating.

Thank you DD. Much more convincing than what I said, and in fewer words. I swear, I used to be a good writer.

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

And, as any good Trekker knows: