Official "Science News" Thread

[Brian-E]

Originally Posted by Dubslow

Not quite sure this counts for the thread, but I can't find the astronomy threads we're sure to have.

http://www.sciencerecorder.com/news/...y-astronomers/

Very nice to know! Let's hope it does indeed turn out to be bright as seen from Earth when it arrives. I assume the article's reference to "16" as the comets estimated magnitude at its brightest must be a misprint for 1.6 - which is indeed very bright! Another important detail, of course, is over how much of the sky the tail will stretch. I don't see that estimated in the article, and probably no-one has any idea yet either. Could this be a truly great comet like several in the 19th century were, stretching right across the night sky?? Or will it be a big disappointment like comet Kohoutek was in 1973?

[xilman]

Originally Posted by Brian-E

Very nice to know! Let's hope it does indeed turn out to be bright as seen from Earth when it arrives. I assume the article's reference to "16" as the comets estimated magnitude at its brightest must be a misprint for 1.6 - which is indeed very bright! Another important detail, of course, is over how much of the sky the tail will stretch. I don't see that estimated in the article, and probably no-one has any idea yet either. Could this be a truly great comet like several in the 19th century were, stretching right across the night sky?? Or will it be a big disappointment like comet Kohoutek was in 1973?

I suspect it's a misprint for -16. Even -1.6 isn't brighter than Venus, let alone the moon.

[firejuggler]

according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apparent_magnitude
–26.74 Sun as seen from Earth (398,359 times brighter than mean full moon)
–12.92 Maximum brightness of full Moon (mean is –12.74)
so -16 would be very bright

[Uncwilly]

Originally Posted by Dubslow

Not quite sure this counts for the thread, but I can't find the astronomy threads we're sure to have.

http://www.sciencerecorder.com/news/...y-astronomers/

Originally Posted by xilman

I suspect it's a misprint for -16. Even -1.6 isn't brighter than Venus, let alone the moon.

Yes, it is supposed to be -16 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C/2012_S1

BTW, March might also have a good one too: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C/2011_L4

[ewmayer]

-16 would be spectacularly bright ... far brighter than Hale-Bopp, and that was the best comet (in terms of brightness and length of visibility) in nearly 200 years. I have fond memories of the naked-eye treat afforded by first comet Hyakutake and then Hale-Bopp, two great comets within the span of a year.

Not sure why the article describes the new one as "massive", though - 3 km-dia nucleus is dwarfed by Hale-Bopp's 60 km.

[Spherical Cow]

Originally Posted by Dubslow

Not quite sure this counts for the thread, but I can't find the astronomy threads we're sure to have.

http://www.sciencerecorder.com/news/...y-astronomers/

Yes, this was mentioned back in September in this thread, and the hype is certainly building. I wonder how long until one or both of these comets are linked to the end of the world...Hale-Bopp led to the "Heaven's Gate" cult suicides (39 people). Hope people simply take these opportunities for what they are- possibly a once-in-a-lifetime (brighter than the moon?!?) spectacular sky-show.

Norm

[science_man_88]

Never-Before-Seen Stage of Planet Birth Revealed

Astronomers studying a newborn star have caught a detailed glimpse of planets forming around it, revealing a never-before seen stage of planetary evolution.

Far from Earth, the fledgling star HD 142527 is nearing the end of its formation process. Around 2 million years old, the young star is about twice as massive as the sun, though it is still slowly growing. A disk of spinning dust and gas left over from its formation surrounds the star, and from this material, planets are being created.

[kladner]

Originally Posted by science_man_88

Never-Before-Seen Stage of Planet Birth Revealed

That's very cool! Thanks!

[science_man_88]

Originally Posted by kladner

That's very cool! Thanks!

You're quite welcome.

[akruppa]

http://www.motherjones.com/environme...-link-gasoline

Could atmospheric lead play a role in the rise and fall of crime rates?

[LaurV]

Originally Posted by akruppa

http://www.motherjones.com/environme...-link-gasoline

Could atmospheric lead play a role in the rise and fall of crime rates?

As the global warming theory didn't kill too many geese... Nice reading anyhow.