Black Holes' Vast Power Is Documented

NY TIMES ^ | February 19, 2004 | JOHN NOBLE WILFORD

[neverdem]

Isn't Alpha Centauri, the closest star, 4.2 million light-years away, IIRC? Methinks GWB should have taken an elective course in basic astronomy instead of proposing another moon mission and making a Mars landing a goal. I can't believe they want to abandon the Hubble telescope.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Isn't Alpha Centauri, the closest star, 4.2 million light-years away

Actually no. Proxima Centauri is actually the nearest star.

And I agree about Hubble. They'll be studing about what that instrument has discoved for the next 10 years, or more.

[farmfriend]

I too think doing away with Hubble is a mistake. I think this whole going to Mars thing was political grandstanding and I don't like it. It is beneither GWB. Or so I thought.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

It started before GWB came into office I believe!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

This was posted yesterday:

Black Hole Seen Ripping Star Apart

Has pictures !

[neverdem]

Thanks for the update on Proxima Centauri. I must correct myself as I was off by a factor of 1,000,000. You can guess how long ago I took astronomy. Check the link, cool pics with info. Your taxes at work, some results for a change.

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap020715.html

[Joe Hadenuf]

What's interesting about Proxima Centauri, is many have speculated that it could possibly have life sustaining planets orbiting it, as Proxima Centauri is very similar to our sun.

Nice link......

[neverdem]

More pics, info and links in comment# 26.

[farmfriend]

beneither

I'm still trying to figure out what this word is. Anyway, I wasn't really making a comment about GWB except to say that I expect better than the usual politics from him.