End of World Has Already Begun, U of WA Scientists Say in Book 'The Life and Death of Planet Earth'

Boston.com via Drudge Report ^ | 1/13/03 | Ascribe Newswire

[NormsRevenge]

SEATTLE, Jan. 13 (AScribe Newswire) -- In its 4.5 billion years, Earth has evolved from its hot, violent birth to the celebrated watery blue planet that stands out in pictures from space. But in a new book, two noted University of Washington astrobiologists say the planet already has begun the long process of devolving into a burned-out cinder, eventually to be swallowed by the sun.

[freeper12]

It truly is awesome to ponder what the world will be like way in the future...look at where we are now, look athow much has changed in last 300 years, and then try to imagine even 1000 years from now, or even more mind-boggliong, 1 million years from now? Can you? I can't.

Another thing to keep in mind, if you invest just $100, at 4% for the next 10000 years it will be worth :$21,547,306,424,168,900,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.00

[RightWhale]

What if we move earth to a new orbit. It won't change the fact that the sun will be getting old and fat and dim like many, but at least earth won't be vaporized right away.

[oldtimer]

ROTFLMAO

[Centurion2000]

Another thing to keep in mind, if you invest just $100, at 4% for the next 10000 years it will be worth :$21,547,306,424,168,900,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.00

By which time, it will be worth pocket change from inflation ;)

[Poohbah]

What if we move earth to a new orbit. It won't change the fact that the sun will be getting old and fat and dim like many, but at least earth won't be vaporized right away.

And, as an added bonus, it means that Marvin the Martian won't need to blow up the Earth because it's blocking his view of Venus.

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

The disappearance of our planet is still 7.5 billion years away,

Who the heck says its our planet?were just renting and the landlord could evict us anytime he deems fit.

Just like liberals to think they own everything.

[cubreporter]

(smile) :)

[LasVegasMac]

"The disappearance of our planet is still 7.5 billion years away, but people really should consider the fate of our world and have a realistic understanding of where we are going,"

That is the first thing I think of each day when I wake up. I'm glad someone else is concerned, too.

It's a healthy thing for people to realize what a treasure this is in space and time, and fully appreciate and protect their environment as much as possible.

Earth is just fine. My dream is - and I can picture it so very clearly: Reach the right hand down and caress that short little lever. One quick movement to the right, then a not so gentle push straight up. The now glowing indicator on the instrument panel induces a tingling sensation up the spine. Only one action left to take now, then all will be ready. Again, with the right hand, I reach out and grab the tall lever. My palms are getting sweaty now - I know what is coming. In a coordinated movement my left foot depresses the appropriate pedal and the right hand moves the tall lever to the left, then back towards me. In one graceful movement, the right foot fairly mashes the fuel delivery pedal and the left foot releases it's pedal. The acceleration is instantaneous. "Roger, Houston, Lunar (or Mars) One is now in 4x4 low low and chewing it up!"

I feel a sudden need to go visit the desert. See ya.

LVM

[kcar]

Is that Eastern standard time?

[Number_Cruncher]

They forgot to mention that the Andromedea galaxy will collide with our galaxy in about 100 million years. That should make for interesting times. Something else to worry about.

[roadcat]

No, this is not going to happen! If you read a lot of sci-fi, or watch Star-Trek you just know mankind will have billions of years to prepare for this.

Long before the sun expands, we will have encased our solar system in a metal eggshell, installed a new man-made sun and then deactivate the old one.

Or we'll strap engines on the Earth and move it to a younger vibrant sun somewhere else.

[DAnconia55]

''The disappearance of our planet is still 7.5 billion years away, but people really should consider the fate of our world and have a realistic understanding of where we are going,'' said UW astrophysicist Donald Brownlee. ''We live in a fabulous place at a fabulous time. It's a healthy thing for people to realize what a treasure this is in space and time, and fully appreciate and protect their environment as much as possible.''

Could someone slap this asshat with a metal glove, please?

[Billthedrill]

By then if we still need the old place or want it around for nostalgic purposes we'll have to move it. Anybody ever seen an old house on rollers? No problem.

[DAnconia55]

SUN TO SUPERNOVA IN BILLIONS OF YEARS : WOMEN AND MINORITIES HARDEST HIT !

[DAnconia55]

lol....ya beat me to it :)

[DAnconia55]

Need water, metal and hydrocarbons ? SATURN, asteroids and Titan can provide.

At our current rate of progress, we'll be able to create a new sun, or regenerate the one we have in 7 Billion years.

Not to mention extra solar colonization, Dyson sphere creation...etc...

[Harley109]

I was scanning down waiting for someone to state the obvious. Not only is this tidbit old news, the fac a close star going supernova could wipe out life here is not only true as well, but many scientists think life in the universe is much more rare because of this happening in many places super novas have occurred.

[MarkL]

It's been detemined by scientists that the sun will burn out in roughly 15 billion years... That means that the DOT will have to finish I-35 in the dark!

Mark

[Leo Carpathian]

>>As the sun gets hotter and grows in size, it will envelop Mercury and Venus. It is possible it will stop just short of Earth, the authors say, but the conditions still would make this a most-inhospitable planet.<<

Ummmm, who supplies the fuel for the Mr. Sun to grow hotter and sizer? DummycRATS unused fuel from the banned SUVs? I wanna wait and see the Sun-Pac-Man eating Mercury and virgin Venus. Looks like we will be one big Sun (ofawhat?) Get them "scientists" showels and make them do something useful.

[gitmo]

Synopsis: Research shows we are closer to the end of the earth than ever before.