Saturday, January 22, 2011

What a difference a light year makes


Since the Telegraph.co.uk article is short, I’ll paste it here rather than make you click a link:

“The supernova could provide the biggest light show since Earth was formed, and will be so bright that night will become like day for one or two weeks, experts said.

“Betelgeuse, which is part of the Orion constellation 640 light years away from Earth, is a red supergiant, meaning that it is nearing the end of its life and is due to explode.

“When it does [s]o, it will burn so brightly that the earth will appear to have two suns in the sky, the Daily Mail reported.

“What is less certain is when it will explode.

“Brad Carter, senior lecturer of physics at the University of southern Queensland in Australia, said the explosion could take place before the end of the year – or indeed at any point over the next million years.”

I’m no science guy; but, shouldn’t Mr. Carter be talking about when the increased light from the explosion gets here?

Yes, I’m bored.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would like to have a job where if I'm accurate to with a million years or so, I'm still within specs.

Big Mark 243 said...

You do make a point Dave. As does Thomas.

Bored is good. Kind of like how Oak is nice. I like oak.

Jenn said...

i didnt know you were into this sorta thing.

PS Doc broke his arm. pic on my blog of pitaful him. (beneath cat blogging)

Dave said...

Not particularly Jenn, I just saw the article and was struck by its discordance with my what, eighth grade science? Give Doc my best and some good meds.