Sea Life Wiped Out by Neutron Star Collision? 726
Memorize writes "Scientists report in the Journal of Astrophysical Letters that a mass extinction of marine life 450 million years ago might have been caused by radiation from an exploding star, such as a collision between two neutron stars, or a neutron star collapsing into a black hole. Such an event would cause a ten-second burst of gamma radiation, and if it occurred within our galaxy, it could have wiped out many species on earth. At least if astronomers find out that an asteroid is heading our way, we can do something about it, but if there is a gamma burst, we get no warning. And if we did, would there be any way to protect the planet?"
No. (Score:5, Funny)
No.
Gee, I wish all "Ask Slashdot" postings were this easy..
Well, it's not all bad (Score:5, Funny)
Tried and True (Score:5, Funny)
Independant confirmation (Score:5, Funny)
So anyways, we put Sea Monkeys in a microwave oven.
Oh come on! (Score:5, Funny)
Things We Can Do (Score:5, Funny)
2) Make a gigantic lead planetary Dyson sphere [wikipedia.org]
3) In the immortal words of David Levinson [imdb.com], "Uh, hide."
4) PANIC!!!
5) Seven words: Journey to the Center of the Earth [imdb.com].
6) Profit!!!
7) Seriously, did you just ask what we could do? Of course there's nothing we can do, you rhetorical-question-asking moron. We hope to Darwin that we can evolve.
8) Natalie Portman naked in hot grits. (If the world was about to end in a giant gamma ray bath, that is.)
p
Re:Scary Stuff (Score:4, Funny)
RE Sea Life Wiped Out by Neutron Star Collision? (Score:3, Funny)
I dunno, a massive pair of Blue Blockers?
Re:No. (Score:5, Funny)
Well, you could probably save on space a little by just simply keeping about 5 sheep in the house.
Re:No. (Score:5, Funny)
Consults Homeland Defense Handbook ...
... it says here to "Duck and Cover".
I guess all that duct tape and plastic wrap will not be useful.
As per your instructions... (Score:5, Funny)
Good luck sir, and Godspeed!
I'm prepared! (Score:2, Funny)
So what you're saying is... (Score:1, Funny)
Re:As per your instructions... (Score:2, Funny)
Why? WHY???
Re:Yet another reason (Score:1, Funny)
Re:You should be VERY WORRIED (Score:1, Funny)
Re:No. (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Where's the science? (Score:2, Funny)
They found a tape recording of the life at the time, similar to the one found with the dinosaurs:
Dinosaur one: It's great ruling the world isn't it?
Dinosaur two: Yes, it's great!
Dinosaur one: It's like, we're the best! You can't beat us!
Dinosaur two: Yes! Like, we're the tops! Go dinos!
Dinosaur one: Go dinos!!
Dinosaur two: Yes! Go dinos!! Go go go!!!
Dinosaur one: Look at that pretty light in the sky!
Dinosaur two: Oh yes. Pretty! And growing...
(curtesy prior slashdot)
Bush's fault! (Score:2, Funny)
Optimal solution here (Score:5, Funny)
How about this... (Score:1, Funny)
No, I didn't read TFA.
Re:not anymore (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Tried and True (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Easy answer (Score:1, Funny)
Right. Aluminum foil all the way. I've been saying that for years anyway. Protected from aliens AND nutrino stars.
Re:Scary Stuff - Child rearing (Score:4, Funny)
Re:No. (Score:3, Funny)
Joke #2 (Score:1, Funny)
Planet sized tinfoil hat.
Ah, yes: the selfish gene (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Scary Stuff (Score:2, Funny)
I've often wondered what their motivation was. Simple as that, eh?
Cool, thanks.
in that case (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Greg Egan's Diaspora - Speak for yourself (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Scary Stuff (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Joke #2 (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Scary Stuff (Score:1, Funny)
EAOSIONB (Either abreviate, or spell it out, not both.)
Re:Scary Stuff (Score:3, Funny)
Actually I spend a lot of time worring about the atoms of my underwear doing that...
OK, I'll be honest. I spend a lot of time hoping the atoms of the underwear the hostess of the party will do that... but then I don't tend to get invited to those kinds of parties.
DNA, you are missed.
Comment removed (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Scary Stuff (Score:4, Funny)
Neither do I. I *know* my tinfoil hat will protect me.
Re:Scary Stuff - Child rearing (Score:5, Funny)
Dude, excellent band name!
Actually... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Joke #2 (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Scary Stuff - Child rearing (Score:4, Funny)
Hey, I'll have you know the vending machine is *all the way* on the *other* side of the building. As soon aa a cube over there frees up, I'm outta here. Hmm, it might speed things up if I push Joe in front of that next mammoth.
Re:Scary Stuff (Score:2, Funny)
-Loyal
Re:Scary Stuff (Score:3, Funny)
That is probably true of 90% of the people reading that post.
Re:Are we really this blind? (Score:3, Funny)
Okay, if the human race destroys itself before the next Gamma ray burst hits the planet, I owe you a Coke.
Re:Ah, yes: the selfish gene (Score:4, Funny)