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The Strange Case of Solar Flares and Radioactive Decay Rates
DarkKnightRadick writes "Current models for radioactive decay have been challenged by, of all sources, the sun. According to the article, 'On Dec 13, 2006, the sun itself provided a crucial clue, when a solar flare sent a stream of particles and radiation toward Earth. Purdue nuclear engineer Jere Jenkins, while measuring the decay rate of manganese-54, a short-lived isotope used in medical diagnostics, noticed that the rate dropped slightly during the flare, a decrease that started about a day and a half before the flare.' This is important because the rate of decay is very important not just for antique dating, but also for cancer treatment, time keeping, and the generation of random numbers. This isn't a one time measurement, either. 'Checking data collected at Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island and the Federal Physical and Technical Institute in Germany, they came across something even more surprising: long-term observation of the decay rate of silicon-32 and radium-226 seemed to show a small seasonal variation. The decay rate was ever so slightly faster in winter than in summer.'"
No, this does not get you down to a 6000-year old Earth. Sorry.
Only Pink Hat Linux. I've never gotten more trim since I made the switch to Manlyuntu.
I wonder when the US will weaponize this into a neutrino gun that detonates Iranian nukes from the other side of the planet.
Of course, most every phenomenon in the universe involves "other particles"... perhaps you want to rephrase that comment?
Its a bit like correlating car crashes with the movement of galaxies.
AHA!! I just knew astrology had merit!
more expensive, publicly funded research is necessary.
Of course is necessary!!!
Do you want another Three Miles Island to happen because of seasonal variations in radioactive decay rate takes us by surprise? Wouldn't you want to see some safe nuclear fuel, impervious to sun's flares, being developed? Is it not enough we have to deal with global warming?
(warning: the above post is intended humorous only, under no circumstances the words below represent the author's opinions on real issues! In plain word: c'mon, mods, it is a joke!)
Questions raise, answers kill. Raise questions to stay alive.
... Mn54. Sigh.
Overheard in a museum:
Boy: Mister, how old is that dinosaur skeleton?
Curator: [after some mumbling and finger counting] 60 million and four years, eight months and sixteen days.
Boy's mother: How can you know so accurately?
Curator: Well, in the training course they told me it was 60 million years old. That was when I joined, which would be back in January 2006...
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
"This is how I was taught 30 years ago and it's how I'm teaching you now." - My physics teacher, in an angry voice when I mentioned quantum mechanics during class.
All rites reversed 2010
I understand it has some bad bugs, so you should probably avoid it. Or at least wear a condom.
with my yardstick I can measure accurate to the meter.
I see you work for NASA.