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Earth Under Threat From Dark Comets

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the summon-bruce-willis dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Comets could be the most significant impact hazard to Earth, with sky surveys underestimating the number that are potentially devastating by a factor of between 10 and 100, UK astrophysicists say."

19 of 149 comments (clear)

  1. Slashdotted by Spazztastic · · Score: 2, Funny

    Already down. There goes my chance of calling FUD.

    --
    Posts not to be taken literally. Almost everything is sarcasm.
    1. Re:Slashdotted by linnorm · · Score: 3, Funny

      Such materials, especially in ultra-low gravity environments (so preventing the collapse of complicated micro-strucutres), are incredibly black, making the comet harder to see than a black cat in a coal cellar. At night with no torch.

      How much more black could they be?

    2. Re:Slashdotted by Vorpix · · Score: 3, Funny

      none more black.

      --
      frog blast the vent core
  2. I Call FUD Anyway by mfh · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's down for a sinister reason! They don't want us to READ the articles and become informed of the truth!!!

    Also, why the racism? Just because the comets are DARK doesn't mean they are evil. RACISTS!

    --
    The dangers of knowledge trigger emotional distress in human beings.
  3. Re:Another reason for fear by norppalaho · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...If I have to start worrying about the sky falling on me...

    Vitalstatistix, Is that you?

    --
    One of the coolest sites, ever: zombo.com
  4. DCC Trading by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    My greatest fear is that people will view this as something that they have no control over, thus inducing a sense of complacency. Complacency kills!

    But there is hope. I propose a Dark Comet Credit (DCC) trading system, whereby planets that are in danger of being struck by dark comets purchase dark comet credits from planets that aren't in danger.

    It may not be a perfect plan, but it's better than doing nothing.

  5. don't be so judgmental by jollyreaper · · Score: 4, Funny

    Just because these comets hang out in the furthest, coldest reaches of the solar system, don't reflect light all that well and listen to cradle of filth, that doesn't make them all dark! Goth, maybe, but not dark. You just don't understand them.

    --
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    Sell the spice to CHOAM
    This Mahdi took Shaddam's Throne
  6. Re:Seriously? WTF? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    sperm wales and pertunias...

  7. Threat From Dark Comets??? by Nomaxxx · · Score: 3, Funny

    Hurry up! Find Bruce Willis!!!

  8. No torch? by PeeAitchPee · · Score: 4, Funny

    are incredibly black, making the comet harder to see than a black cat in a coal cellar. At night with no torch.

    Who uses torches in their "coal cellar"? What are you looking for, Frankenstein? ;-)

    1. Re:No torch? by Ray · · Score: 5, Funny

      Way too subtle. Remember, speakers of "the Queen's English" require giant, cartoon stomping feet to indicate humorous content is about to follow.

    2. Re:No torch? by aliquis · · Score: 2, Funny

      ... and that comes from a guy who lives (?) in the country where they must add laughter to the TV series so you know there may have been something funny even if you didn't got it.

    3. Re:No torch? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      They're about as subtle as an elephant sneaking around in a ninja costume.

    4. Re:No torch? by ChatHuant · · Score: 2, Funny

      Monty Python? Benny Hill? Blackadder? Douglas Adams? Rowan Atkinson?

      Subtle innuendo has long been a staple of British humour

      Benny Hill? Subtle innuendo? What are you, French?

  9. Oblig.... by SIR_Taco · · Score: 4, Funny

    Shouldn't we put brown paper bags over our head or something?
    If you like.
    Will it help?
    No.

    --
    I say don't drink and drive, you might spill your drink. Before you get behind the wheel just stop and think.
  10. Re:Don't worry by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    any comet will be taken out by an asteroid, satellite or stray sub way before it gets near a population centre

    Fair enough, but:

    1) How are we going to get those Subway restaurants to stray?

    2) What will happen to all those $5 foot longs after the impact?!?

  11. Re:Another reason for fear by Teun · · Score: 2, Funny

    According to all Hollywood studies it would be safest to leave the USofA...

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  12. Of all the ways to go by hwyhobo · · Score: 2, Funny

    Of all the ways to go, at least here is one where you don't have to say, "Well, that was a bonehead thing to do..."

    --
    End anonymous moderation and posting on /.
  13. Re:Impacts are good by Dragonslicer · · Score: 2, Funny

    If it weren't for this massive impact some 65k years ago we would still be voting for lizards

    I know we Americans don't pay much attention to the SI system, but you might want to check your prefixes.