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July 2, 2010
The Pit: There's a Hole in the Universe
A cloud of bright reflective gas known to astronomers as NGC 1999 sits next to a black patch of sky. For most of the 20th century, such black patches have been known to be dense clouds of dust and gas that block light from passing through.
When Herschel looked in its direction to study nearby young stars, the cloud continued to look black. But wait! That should not be the case. Herschelâs infrared eyes are designed to see into such clouds. Either the cloud was immensely dense or something was wrong.
Investigating further using ground-based telescopes, astronomers found the same story however they looked: this patch looks black not because it is a dense pocket of gas but because it is truly empty. Something has blown a hole right through the cloud. "No-one has ever seen a hole like this," says Tom Megeath, of the University of Toledo, USA. "It's as surprising as knowing you have worms tunnelling under your lawn, but finding one morning that they have created a huge, yawning pit." -- ESA - Space Science - Herschel finds a hole in space
Posted by Vanderleun at July 2, 2010 9:36 AM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.
Your Say
Not unlike the void residing athwart the bilateral aural canals of one Nancy Pelosi.
Posted by: Blastineau at July 2, 2010 10:42 AM
I was just going to say: Are you sure the headline here wasn't meant for the Pelosi Story on the main page?
Posted by: Andy at July 2, 2010 10:49 AM
I know less after reading this article than before I read it....but that's a good thing. Mysteries are better than omniscience. Only God is omniscient. I'm fine with it.
Posted by: Jewel at July 3, 2010 1:31 AM
"Not unlike the void residing athwart the bilateral aural canals of one Nancy Pelosi."
Now that, Gerard, should be included at the top of your list of '100 Greatest Insults'. Not only succinct but respectable, too. Must keep an eye open for more of Blastineau!
Posted by: Frank P at July 3, 2010 3:03 AM
I noticed it was a little breezy lately. Obama won't get around to fixing that one any day soon, either.
Posted by: ahem at July 3, 2010 5:34 AM