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Double Comet Spectacular... Maybe

jd writes "CNN is reporting that two comets, named NEAT and LINEAR after the obervatories that found them, may both be visible in the sky at the same time. The prediction is that they will first be seen in the southern hemisphere in mid-April, becoming visible in the northern skies in May. This is believed to be the first time these comets have passed through the inner solar system, so astronomers are hedging their bets on how bright they will be. Guesses range from plus infinity to minus infinity."

13 of 28 comments (clear)

  1. Been looking already by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Been looking already. In fact, I could see the "Heaven's Gate" mothership in the tail before I even saw the nucleus. Yes, you've read it here first: Applethwait's coming home, and he wants his site back. Look out, cybersquatters!

    I'm going to get ready, just like I did for Comet Kohoutek. I've got the bushel-baskets of 2-inch-high men all ready.

  2. Guesses? by unperson · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...so astronomers are hedging their bets on how bright they will be. Guesses range from plus infinity to minus infinity

    Damn close minded scientists...are they even CONSIDERING a brightness level in the complex plane?

  3. Coin flip by JHromadka · · Score: 3, Funny

    Maybe they should flip a coin to decide if the comets will be bright enough to see. ;)

    --
    "The objective of securing the safety of Americans from crime and terror has been achieved." -- John Ashcroft
    1. Re:Coin flip by mwheeler01 · · Score: 5, Funny

      yeah, but who can rely on the flip of a coin nowadays?

      (too lazy to post a link to a previous story)

      --
      Pretty widgets? What pretty widgets?
  4. huh? by hookedup · · Score: 2, Funny

    They're clustering comets now?

    1. Re:huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

      They're clustering comets now?

      In the beowulf kind of way.

    2. Re:huh? by Toxygen · · Score: 2, Funny

      But can they run linux?

  5. Ahh, but what order of infinity? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    Integer type of infinity?

    or ...

    # of decimals between 1 and 0 type of infinity?

  6. UFO cults.. by BigZaphod · · Score: 1, Funny

    So my guess is that behind the first one will be some intergalactic refugees running from the ship behind the second one which is loaded with intergalactic cops with kill-o-zap ray guns on their hips and a blinking red/blue light on the outside of the ship.

    In order to save the helpless refugees stuck in an endless race for freedom, followers here on earth will help stick it to the man by committing suicide just in time so that as their souls rise towards the heavens, the cop ship will pass overhead and the souls will re-materialize on board their ship so that they can possess their bodies and crash the cop-mobile into earth and allow the refugees to get away.

    The refugees, forever grateful towards the helpful earth citizens, will continue on their merry way and will not need to blow the earth up like they had planned (they were hoping that large chunks of earth would smash into the perusing police force and allow them to get away).

  7. Re:Brightness by HughsOnFirst · · Score: 4, Funny

    Guess I better stock up on sunscreen, or maybe lead.

  8. prediction... by Spudley · · Score: 4, Funny

    The two comets collide, and the resulting super-comet makes a NEATly-LINEAR path directly toward Earth. :-o

    --
    (Spudley Strikes Again!)
  9. Gay Marriage by Marijuana+al-Shehi · · Score: 4, Funny

    Two comets in the sky at the same time? That is obviously proof that our noble and benevolent (but egotistical and psychotic) God is preparing to punish us for destroying the sanctity of marriage! Oh wait...is this FreeRepublic or slashdot? Damn, there goes my karma!

    --
    "I think all foreigners should stop interfering in the internal affairs of Iraq"
    -- Paul Wolfowitz, 7/21/2003
  10. Re:Brightness by kommakazi · · Score: 2, Funny

    Bah you don't need those, only tinfoil hats so the super-intelligent microbes on the comets can't control your mind!!!