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Scientists Spot Rare 'In Between' Black Hole

An anonymous reader writes "Scientists have found a doomed star orbiting what appears to be a medium-sized black hole. This black hole appears to be a theorized 'in-between' category of black hole that has eluded confirmation and frustrated scientists for more than a decade."

14 of 182 comments (clear)

  1. Wouldn't that be a... by d474 · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...gray hole?

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    1. Re:Wouldn't that be a... by bhunachchicken · · Score: 5, Funny

      They'll probably call in a Hawkings Hole just to annoy Philip...

    2. Re:Wouldn't that be a... by iced_773 · · Score: 4, Funny


      Seeing as how stars are white

      My star's yellow, you (insensitive || extrasolar) clod!

    3. Re:Wouldn't that be a... by fyngyrz · · Score: 2, Funny
      Ass-tron-o-me 101:

      No, the in-between space is the taint. An in-between hole would either be an anal fistula or a vaginal fistula. A super massive black hole would be goatse, and a standard black hole has already wiped out more crap than you would care to consider. A wormhole is a vaginal-to-anal fistula, and hyperspace gate triggers are made by Hitachi.

      Be sure to tune in tomorrow when we offer penetrating insights into what trans-dimensional travel implies for space-borne dildo use.

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  2. Admiral Akbar says: by TubeSteak · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's a trap!

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  3. Re:Uh oh... by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 2, Funny

    No. I think "in between" is where the switch is stuck in the middle (i.e., "subl" or "she's gonna blow"). Either way, something bad is gonna happen.

  4. Doomed by AkA+lexC · · Score: 4, Funny

    If stars had been given categories like 'Doomed', i think i'd have paid more attention in my astronomy course. What Would Chandrasekar Do?

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  5. Re:Didn't say where the black hole is, but by ion++ · · Score: 1, Funny

    I think it's somewhere near Uranus.

  6. Goatse by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    I heard that there used to be plenty of those in the .cx domain.

  7. In between what ? by bushboy · · Score: 2, Funny

    ... Breakfast and lunch ?

    Hmm, maybe they did spot it inbetween breakfast and lunch, the statistics of that happening are high.

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  8. Re:Wow. by protocol420 · · Score: 2, Funny

    I may be very high ... but I think poster has a point .. please mod up ...

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  9. Re:sourcing by Busy · · Score: 3, Funny

    Experts say we're better off without those extra 5-7 words of information.

    Who are you to argue with the experts?

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  10. Re:slightly OT by Michael+Woodhams · · Score: 4, Funny

    There are three ways in which elements heavier than iron are produced. In two (s and r process), the basic process is to add neutrons one at a time to a nucleus. In the p process, protons are added one at a time.

    What you describe is the r (rapid) process. A very high neutron flux adds neutrons very quickly. Once the neutron pulse has passed, the highly-neutron-rich nuclei beta-decay (neturon turns to proton) multiple times until a stable element is reached.

    The s (slow) process has a low neutron flux, so that there is sufficient time after each neutron is absorbed for beta decay to occur. The neutrons come from a comparatively neutron-rich nucleus left over from the CNO cycle for burning hydrogen (N15?) At sufficient temperature/pressure, it starts to lose its excess neutron. The new heavy nuclei can then convect to the surface of the star and escape in the stellar wind. The detection of technetium (which has no stable isotope) in the spectra of these stars is the smoking gun proving this scenario.

    I don't know much about the p process.

    The r and p processes occur in supernovae. The s process occurs in red giant stars (strictly, asymptotic giant branch stars.) In terms of importance in creating heavy elements on the earth, s process is most important, followed by r process and then p process. From memory, it is something like 90% s proccess, 9% r process, 1% p process, but that is *very* rough.

    Now we need a q process, so we can p, q, r and s processes. (Or S, P, Q, R if you're a Romanophile.)

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  11. Re:sourcing by DavidD_CA · · Score: 4, Funny

    > What scientists spotted it?

    From TFA, "A team led by Prof. Philip Kaaret of the University of Iowa, Iowa City, announced these results today in Science Express."

    > What scientists were frustrated?

    Although TFA doesn't specify, I think they're talking about "scientists" in general. Much as your comment talks about "stories"... in general, I presume.

    You know, reading TFA wouldn't break the bank and it would really make your comment feel less lazy.

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    -David