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Antimatter In Lightning

AMESN writes "The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, launched last year, detects gamma rays from light years away, but recently it detected gamma rays from lightning on Earth. And the energy of the gamma rays is specific to the decay of positrons, which are the antimatter flavor of electrons. Finding antimatter in lightning surprised researchers and suggests the electric field of the lightning somehow got reversed."

20 of 169 comments (clear)

  1. According to this blinking light... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    ... lightning is made of electro-matter, matter's bad-ass grandma!

  2. Reversing the polarity of the electron discharge? by BadAnalogyGuy · · Score: 5, Funny

    The decay of positrons in the largescale discharge of electronic particles may very well lead to gamma ray emissions, however it is crucial to understand the energy output required to reverse the polarity of the discharge so that we can reproduce the phenomenon in a controlled laboratory.

    Or else the Romulans will destroy the Federation.

  3. Re:Reversing the polarity of the electron discharg by gravos · · Score: 5, Funny

    Reverse the polarity? Good god, next you'll be wanting to cross the streams.

  4. Re:just wondering... by BadAnalogyGuy · · Score: 4, Funny

    The LHC was obsolete before it was even constructed.

    It never stood a chance.

  5. Re:Reversing the polarity of the electron discharg by NoYob · · Score: 2, Funny

    I don't know. But it will explain how a DeLorean can go back to the future.

    --
    It's NOT me! It's the meds! I'm on 1000mg of Fukitol.
  6. Re:just wondering... by slarrg · · Score: 5, Funny

    I thought it's purpose was eating baguettes.

  7. Re:Time to modulate the shields by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    What the fuck? You just graduate from the Academy?

    Modulating the shields leaves you vulnerable to phased weapon attacks.

    "The only way" is to reorient the tractor beam vectors to generate a harmonic subspace bubble around the vessel.

    Fucking amateur.

  8. Re:reversal schmersal by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    quantum electrodynamic vacuum

    positron decay gamma rays

    You're good!

  9. Re:Reversing the polarity of the electron discharg by JCCyC · · Score: 4, Funny

    You're all off base.The explanaion is much simpler.

    Did anybody shout "SHAZAM!" nearby?

  10. Re:This was first observed in 1971 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Did you stumble into this forum by mistake? Come back when you have some baseless conjecture or a conspiracy theory.

  11. Re:reversal schmersal by Hurricane78 · · Score: 1, Funny

    reversal schmersal

    the Schwinger Effect

    Aaahh... a bit of German makes every scientific topic cool.
    We only lack a "färbottenärr Krruppstahl Gammastrrahlänn-Krriegsmaschinenapparraturrr" in there somewhere. Jawohl! ;)

    Wundabar! Jahaha!

    --
    Any sufficiently advanced intelligence is indistinguishable from stupidity.
  12. Re:"other means" would be more than "unexplained". by mustafap · · Score: 5, Funny

    >Remember: In science, NEVER be arrogant, or too convinced of your theories.

    Wow, you haven;t been around academics much have you?

    I recall an old joke:

    "How many PHDs does it take to change a light bulb?
      One to unscrew it, one to pull the chair from underneath him"

    --
    Open Source Drum Kit, LPLC deve board - mjhdesigns.com
  13. Re:Time to modulate the shields by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just to steer the conversation back on topic, your harmonic subspace bubble isn't going to do jack to protect you from the gamma-ray discharge from an antimatter/matter conversion on it's perimeter. In fact it might cause a toroid-effect and trap the gamma-rays inside your shields, interfere with your sensors and might even take some crucial subsystems offline.

    Only a combined strategy of cryptographic spread-spectrum modulation of shields combined with aggressive targetted tractor beam vectoring can keep you safe from localized radiation effects and energy weapons. You really need to keep abreast of the technology in these matters or you could leave yourself, your crew, and very valuable data and equipment at risk.

    Posted anonymously for obvious reasons.

  14. Re:Reversing the polarity of the electron discharg by kimvette · · Score: 2, Funny

    Anyone who watches Star Trek knows that any time you want to solve technical problems or achieve new developments, all you need to do is reverse the polarity or invert the phase. Why didn't the folks behind the LHC try this? It's have saved billions of dollars and years of delays! ;)

    --
    The Christian Right is Neither (Christian nor right). See: Matthew 23, Matthew 25, Ezekiel 16:48-50
  15. Re:Reversing the polarity of the electron discharg by The+Grim+Reefer2 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Anyone who watches Star Trek knows that any time you want to solve technical problems or achieve new developments, all you need to do is reverse the polarity or invert the phase.

    You forgot to reroute through the main deflector.

  16. I smell a weapons research initiative... by rpauli · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...call the contract lawyers.

  17. Re:Reversing the polarity of the electron discharg by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    There is the theory of the moebius. A twist in the fabric of space where time becomes a loop.

  18. Re:This was first observed in 1971 by Nimey · · Score: 3, Funny

    Not to mention a goddamn car analogy.

    --
    Hail Eris, full of mischief...

    E pluribus sanguinem
  19. Re:Reversing the polarity of the electron discharg by grcumb · · Score: 2, Funny

    Just out of curiosity, (and sorry for derailing the thread) who is spending these billions of dollars to build and repair the LHC?

    The Vulcans. Duh. Keep up next time.

    --
    Crumb's Corollary: Never bring a knife to a bun fight.
  20. The green question by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    How we come so far not having any Hulk related jokes, people!?

    It's 'gamma ray' flashes!!!!