'Death Star' Aimed at Earth 400
An anonymous reader writes "A spectacular, rotating binary star system is a ticking time bomb, ready to throw out a searing beam of high-energy gamma rays that could lead to a major extinction event — and Earth may be right in the line of fire. Australian science magazine Cosmos Magazine reports: 'Though the risk may be remote, there is evidence that gamma ray bursts have swept over the planet at various points in Earth's history with a devastating effect on life. A 2005 study showed that a gamma-ray burst originating within 6,500 light years of Earth could be enough to strip away the ozone layer and cause a mass extinction. Researchers led by Adrian Melott at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, U.S., suggest that such an event may have been responsible for a mass extinction 443 million years ago, in the late Ordovician period, which wiped out 60 per cent of life and cooled the planet.'"
lies, Lies, LIES!!! (Score:5, Funny)
443 million years ago
How do these fancy-pants "scientists" know what happened 442,994,000 years before Earth was created?
Thanks Global Warming (Score:3, Funny)
If not, can't we just count on that layer of lead-based space debris to block the gamma rays? No? well then, feets don't fail me now!
Oh come on! (Score:5, Funny)
Don't tase me, bro ... (Score:4, Funny)
Well guys.. (Score:5, Funny)
lead paint (Score:4, Funny)
Re:OH NOES (Score:5, Funny)
Gamma? (Score:0, Funny)
Re:Oh come on! (Score:1, Funny)
No problem (Score:5, Funny)
Please God, no... (Score:5, Funny)
From TFA (Score:2, Funny)
Impossible (Score:5, Funny)
Cosmos Magazine reports (Score:5, Funny)
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Re:lies, Lies, LIES!!! (Score:5, Funny)
Mass Extinction (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Thanks Global Warming (Score:5, Funny)
Except for the searing ultraviolet from a lack of ozone, I would say you are about spot on.
Re:Thanks guys (Score:5, Funny)
I asked GOD (Score:1, Funny)
God, a ./'er asked"
God: Don't bug me, it is still the 7th day.
Human: Can't be!
God: You think 1 day to me is like one day to you? You arrogant twit, 1 billion of your years is one day to me.
Re:Cool ! (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Thanks Global Warming (Score:4, Funny)
Re:No problem (Score:5, Funny)
I've also trained the gunners as to what the rebel ships look like and what the empire ships look like together with electro therapy they now know what to shoot at.
The major commander on the death star will not be on board one of the fighters defending it.
And anyway when the heroes first arrive on the station they will be taken, under armed guard, placed against the nearest wall and shot. Following being shot they will have their heads chopped off while I watch giving no chance for them to stage a stunning escape and disrupt my evil plans. This death will lack drama will be simple, won't go wrong, will make a mess - but hey, I've got an army of evil underlings who can clean up.
Ob. Simpsons Quote (Score:5, Funny)
Bart: Aw, recycling's useless, Lis. Once the Sun burns out, this planet is doomed. You're just making sure we spend our last days using inferior products.
~Philly
Isn't it obvious? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:I asked GOD (Score:5, Funny)
"Paging Dr. Banner" (Score:4, Funny)
If this happens, don't make anyone angry. You wouldn't like them when they're angry.
--JoeRe:Well guys.. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:lies, Lies, LIES!!! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Thanks Global Warming (Score:2, Funny)
That's no moon... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Mass Extinction (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Thanks guys (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Uhhhh (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Since the gamma rays move at the speed of light (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Finally.. (Score:2, Funny)
Re:lies, Lies, LIES!!! (Score:4, Funny)
Re:OH NOES (Score:5, Funny)
Then the gamma ray hits.
Re:"Paging Dr. Banner" (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Wouldn't killing 60% of life result in lots of (Score:3, Funny)
Re:No problem (Score:5, Funny)
No problem, we'll just use a frozen chicken.
Re:Not so (Score:5, Funny)
See, problem solved.
Re:OH NOES (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Earth cooked, news at 11... (Score:5, Funny)
GRB...
Never mind.
Re:No problem (Score:3, Funny)
Re:lies, Lies, LIES!!! (Score:2, Funny)
Re:I asked GOD (Score:5, Funny)
A man has gained an audience with God.
Man: Oh Lord, what is a million years like to you?
God: To me, my son, a million years is but a day.
Man: Oh Lord, what is a million dollars like to you?
God: To me, my son, a million dollars is but a penny.
Man: Oh Lord, would you give me a penny?
God: Tomorrow.
Re:Thanks guys (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Thanks guys (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Cosmos Magazine reports (Score:4, Funny)
Back on this death star thing (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Thanks guys (Score:3, Funny)
Funny that all three posts say exactly the same thing... You guys must've posted at exactly the same time!
Only from your frame of reference.
Re:Alright, I'll talk! (Score:-1, Funny)
(Looking up and retching) (Score:3, Funny)
Re:lies, Lies, LIES!!! (Score:3, Funny)
Re:lies, Lies, LIES!!! (Score:2, Funny)