Science thread [merged]

[one-eyed]

A reminder that this is a science thread to discuss scientific topics, theories and discoveries. It's not for political discussion.

[1965]

A reminder that this is a science thread to discuss scientific topics, theories and discoveries. It's not for political discussion.

I better not comment at all then.

 

[Judge Roughneck]

http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2014-08/07/10-qs-about-nasa-impossible-drive

[dwaino]

Bit slow on the uptake broseph.

[Judge Roughneck]

Two supermassive black holes at the center of galaxy 3C 75, orbiting each other in a binary system

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/1409/3c75_chandraNRAO_576.jpg

[mightytiges]

Tonight's Lunar Eclipse starts shortly. Hoping the cloud cover goes away so we can see it.


Source: Ch 7 news.

[Smokey]

What cloud cover?

 

[WilliamPowell]

What a non event the lunar eclipse was 

Couldn't see a thing because of the clouds 

[Loui Tufga]

Perfect viewing from the Penisular

[Smokey]

What a non event the lunar eclipse was 

Couldn't see a thing because of the clouds 

No, it happened as forecast WP.  Still is actually.  Only visible to the parts of Australia that don't need to alter clocks to keep up with the rest of the world though.   

[Diocletian]

http://www.theage.com.au/technology/sci-tech/we-are-alone-in-the-universe-brian-cox-20141027-11crqq.html

[dwaino]

Concluding that point considering the age and the size of the universe, that we know complex and intelligent (subjective) life has already evolved on one planet and that the building blocks of life are absolutely everywhere, is extremely narrow minded. Poor form Mr Cox who I have generally found informative. Maybe should have stuck to playing glam. In fact, given the evidence,  the existence of other civilisations is more likely than intelligent design.

[mightytiges]

Advanced species and civilisations are improbable but to rule out the existence of life of any kind (even bacteria) is unwise IMO. It should be left as an unknown.

[🏅Dooks]

Advanced species and civilisations are improbable but to rule out the existence of life of any kind (even bacteria) is unwise IMO. It should be left as an unknown.

On what basis are advanced species and civilisations improbable MT? The number of stars and planets in our known universe is practically infinite. Just because other civilisations haven't turned up and declared themselves (and there is good evidence that they have, but I'll put that to one side for a moment) doesn't mean other species don't exist.

I reckon given the right conditions life thrives, and evolves. Even if it's a one in a million where the right conditions occur, the sheer mind blowing number of stars and planets out there means there would be a massive number of advanced species. We know that there are a number of planets sit in the Goldilocks zone and we have scratched the smallest slither on the surface.

[dwaino]

It can't be improbable. It's unknown. But we know for a fact that it has happened once, and by sheer weight of numbers it must have happened more. Rare, maybe, even likely, but improbable is a massive claim. Life I think is everywhere. It lays dormant until the right conditions are met then it explodes, and once it gets a foothold it adapts. The Earth is testament to this.