Huge gamma-ray blast spotted 12.2 bln light-years from earth

AFP via Yahoo ^ | Feb 19

[21twelve]

Oh yeah - the Mayans, thanks. (Its been too long since I’ve listened to Coast-to-Coast!).

I have no idea about these gamma rays - but I would imagine that yes - they are “diluted” or whatever because they originated from so far away. (I suppose dispersed would be a better term?)

But a super flare from our sun, although tiny compared to this thing - because it is so close - yes, the EOTWAWKI thing. Every once in ahwile you’ll hear about a big flare that heads off in some other direction and they’ll say “If this had been directed at earth....” Of course - that was back when I listened to Coast-to-Coast more too!

[flash2368]

I never can figure why these astrophysicist guys get so excited about seeing stuff like that. The event actually would have happened 12.2 billion years ago provided the distance calculations they have are correct. Fact is we don’t really have a clue what the distant universe is like at this moment. Probably been spent by alien dumbocrats by now.

[shibumi]

Damn!

Kirk went and used the Corbomite Device afterall.

[Impy]

“Gamma-ray bursts are the universe’s most luminous explosions, which astronomers believe occur when massive stars run out of nuclear fuel and collapse.”

Were those plans for the 2006 election that collapsed?

[MurrietaMadman]

A grand platform to build on.

http://www.thunderbolts.info/tpod/2009/arch09/090209tunnels.htm

[shibumi]

Excellent website! I’ve had it bookmarked for several years.

Anyone who wants to see how the universe really functions should make it a daily read.

[Arthur McGowan]

Then it was 12.2 billion years and five months ago.

[MurrietaMadman]

Excellent website!

Yes it is. Intergalactic Shock and Awe. :^)

[shibumi]

Only if you believe that time is something more than a subjective contrivance of human thought.

[AvOrdVet]

I would not have any idea how to calculate such a thing.

Take a WAG or just make it up, as a lot of scientist do these days!

[jwparkerjr]

re: “If you think about it in terms of energy, X-rays are more energetic because they penetrate matter . . “

Isn't that backwards? The penetrate matter because they are more energetic? What he must mean is they are able to penetrate matter because they are more energetic, although that's not what he said.

[Travis T. OJustice]

I read somewhere that experts believe that the universe is around 15 billion years old. It really does boggle the mind to think about it.

And I get very impatient waiting for Friday nights to roll around! DAMN!

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

We’re all gonna die!!!

[rdl6989]

We’re all gonna die!!!

In a few decades yes we are.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks rdl6989 for the topic and ping, and thanks gleeaikin for the FReepmail.

[SunkenCiv]

Whoops.

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[SunkenCiv]

Thanks rdl6989 for the topic and ping, and thanks gleeaikin for the FReepmail.

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· Google ·

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[LibWhacker]

Taking into account the huge distance from earth of the burst, scientists worked out that the blast was stronger than 9,000 supernovae

Mind boggling power.

[Delta 21]

May well be the oldest news ever posted.

This wasnt in “Breaking News” was it?

[grey_whiskers]

Can see the “kill shot” coming and gives us 18 minutes (or whatever) of warning.

I hope I'm within arm's reach of my wife when it happens.

Cheers!