BA Blog: WR 104: A nearby gamma-ray burst?

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Well, I for one am glad that such an object exists, for it serves as a good realistic example of what exists out there. While there is certainly far too much doomsaying done, there are in fact quite a number of potential dangers in the cosmos...having a good understanding and awareness of these things is, to say the least, very important.

The news

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"Shut up and calculate" R. Feynman

It's almost a perfect spiral. .000000000000000001 degree is plenty over 8 thousand light years.

"Oh [poo]! There goes the planet."

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"What you think you thought you saw you did not see." Agent J, MiB - Manhatten Bureau

Ahh yes, but the gamma rays would also diverge. So the question becomes, would the two divergences result in a convergence zone encompassing Earth?

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"What you think you thought you saw you did not see." Agent J, MiB - Manhatten Bureau

Over here, BAUT Topic: BA Blog: WR 104: A nearby gamma-ray burst?

Edit: At the time this was a link to an earlier thread on the same subject, and they have since been merged.

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This should make the end of the World nuts very happy. I wonder if they will somehow incorporate this new information into their 2012 madness? If not, at least they will have something new to spread fear about after 2012 is over, and then later, the asteroid apophis passes by the Earth safely.

I swear:

1) I looked for an open thread on the subject prior to posting this one. Gotta refine my searching skills.

2) I had already posted this comment. Somehow it disappered from the database.

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"Shut up and calculate" R. Feynman

Yeah, but this thread is more of a doomsday thing, so it's going to garner more interest.

I like the last line of the article... Like all last lines, it leaves you with that "huh?" feeling.
Who's to say that it didn't already happen 7996 years ago (in anticipation of 2012)?

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Numbers are not case sensitive. (me)

If we're exactly in line now, will we still be in thousands of years? Put another way, how broad would the beam be at 8kly and how does that compare with the relative speeds of the Sun and WR 104?

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The ability to quote is a serviceable substitute for wit.
-- Somerset Maugham

I tried searching the star's name and even in quotes it said the words were too frequent or general. How to search is a bit of an art, I would say. Don't be too hard on him.

If the goal is to frighten people, the news article recommended does a much better job than the BA's words. Should that be a goal? I do like a thrill as much as the next guy, but I'm not sure everyone does.

Which path is best for Bad Astronomy? I prefer the way the BA did it with his up-front note to readers. He's got a better bedside manner.

(Note to searchers: I recommend the Google site search when the built-in forum search is sure to fail with words too short or frequent. Google searching this site for wr-104 nails it.)

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Yes; that was my point. Follow the bouncing assumptions... this thread (meaning the Cosmos story) is scarier than the other thread (meaning the BA story)
I hate that tone in the stories myself especially because of the way it impacts the casual reader... On the other hand, it does give us something to amuse ourselves with, by digging for the "real" story.

In other words, you want BA to be a credible source?
I'm 100% with you on that one.

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Numbers are not case sensitive. (me)

Hey, it´s only a humble thread on an interesting issue. I was careful composing the title. No woowoo here.

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"Shut up and calculate" R. Feynman

I'm going to urge a merger -- so the gentler tone might be most accessible.

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Yeah, do it. I was only hinting a good compromise between seriousness and amazement. Sorry if I failed. Plus, as i said, it was the only source available to me, since I missed the BA´s blog, and your thread. Much ado bout nothing...

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"Shut up and calculate" R. Feynman

I would say the article failed.
You were interested... Posted it... and generated discussion. I think it worked.

Now; is there a way to apply a chance to each one of the BA's "if"s?

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Numbers are not case sensitive. (me)

(Threads merged.)

I told my wife and daughter about this while we were waiting to caucus last night. Neither one seemed too thrilled that I shared this interesting piece of information with them. They both said they'd probably stay up worrying while I slept soundly.

Then my wife got a bright (sic) idea. She said they should wait for me to fall asleep, then shine a flashlight in my eyes and yell, "Gamma burst!!"

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Never attribute to malice what can be adequately explained by ignorance or stupidity.
Isaac Asimov

I think "bright" is spelled correctly.

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"What you think you thought you saw you did not see." Agent J, MiB - Manhatten Bureau