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Cannibal Galaxy the Biggest In the Near Universe
The Bad Astronomer writes "Astronomers have found the most massive galaxy in the near universe: an obese, bloated monster that may tip the cosmic scales at 13 trillion times the mass of the Sun, 20 times the mass of the entire Milky Way. The galaxy, called ESO 146-IG 005, sits at the center of a dense cluster of other (but much more lightweight) galaxies, and grew to its present size by eating the galaxies around it. In fact, the so-far undigested cores of at least five other galaxies are still easily seen in the cannibal's nucleus. Astronomers are having difficulty pinning down the galaxy's exact mass, but it's clearly the biggest bruiser within 1.5 billion light years of home."
Where is a copyright lawyer when you need one..... That was not The Big Rip.
The Big Rip occurred on January 19th, 1999 approximately 7:56pm PST in Southern California. The event itself was recorded by the SCSN (Southern California Seismic Networks) and first reported by the Adelanto Receiving Station minutes later. Investigations concluded the seismic event occurred above ground roughly located within a Cinemark Movie theater, Screen 8. Very few witnesses were left alive, or with the ability to speak.
I should know. I generated the event.