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Voyager Probes Give Us ET's View

Posted by samzenpus on from the a-different-look dept.

astroengine writes "For the first time, scientists have been able to measure a type of radiation streaming out from the Milky Way that in other galaxies has been linked to the birthplaces of young, hot stars. There was no way to make our own galaxy's measurement of the radiation, known as Lyman-alpha, until the Voyager probes were about 40 times as far away from the sun as Earth — any closer and the solar system's own emissions drowned out the fainter glow from the galaxy."

7 of 166 comments (clear)

  1. For Science, of course... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Pictures of young, hot, stars?! Count me in!

    1. Re:For Science, of course... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      As with most hot young stars, they do tend to cool quickly and their waistline expands as they run out of good, hot material. Eventually they can either have a big blowup or become small, not so hot, older stars when they begin using different materials.

      Damn. That sounded better in my head but the metaphor got a bit muddled. But, think stars, hydrogen, red giants, helium, novas, etc...

  2. Re:30 years later... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    If we build the probe from neutrinos we could possibly launch it faster than light. And get the results a few years ago.
    If we had known to listen to them, that is.

  3. Re:So Cool... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Meanwhile my smartphone will be lucky to survive 34 months, and is only able to receive commands from Earth if I hold it out of an upstairs window...

    Out of interest, are there many computers down here on the planet that have been operating constantly for 34 years?

  4. Re:So Cool... by dtmos · · Score: 5, Funny

    I have personally seen 50's Univac and 60's IBM systems running

    Yes, but when? I, too, have personally seen 50's Univac and 60's IBM systems running.

    However, it was in the 50's and 60's.

  5. Re:So Cool... by flyingfsck · · Score: 5, Funny

    Cool, so you must also be in your 60s or 70s and still running...

    --
    Excuse me, but please get off my Pennisetum Clandestinum, eh!
  6. Re:So Cool... by dtmos · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yes, and before you ask, I, too, have been receiving inquiries from museums.