Slashdot Mirror
Wild 2 Comet Analyzed
Mz6 writes "Back in January Slashdot reported about the Stardust probe and its capture of particles from the tail of Wild 2 (pronounced 'Vilt 2'). You might also remember about how it snapped 72 images of the comet and sent them back to JPL. Well, after a detailed analysis of the comet Wild 2 and building upon preliminary analysis in March, it has left astronomers at JPL astounded at an object that has no known peers in the solar system. The comet has towering protrusions and steep-walled craters that seem to defy gravity, more than a dozen jets of material shoot out from its insides, dust swirls around the comet in unexpectedly dense pockets, and boasts 2 large 'footprints', aptly named Left and Right."
Or anywhere near that part of the country, nobody knows what is in this capsule.
As much as we know it can contain some strange alien material that may have an 'explosive' reaction to our atmosphere. Or better yet, life in the form of bacteria or a virus.
Yes, I've watched WAY TO MUCH of the Outer Limits and Twilight Zone!
"Some things have to be believed to be seen." - Ralph Hodgson
I love ignorant posts:
The comma follows the word "comet." It is traditional to assume that a phrase, which follows a comma, refers to the word immediately preceding the comma. Hence the author means that the comet is 3 miles wide - which is true. The editor did not consider this ambiguous, as anyone with a basic understanding of English grammar should follow the author's intent. Perhaps the moderators have marked this as funny because they think you are being ironic. That or they believe your ignorance is funny.
BTW, does 14erCleaner refer to your age. If so then I can certainly understand your confusion on this issue. You are simply too young to know what you are talking about.