Thursday, December 15, 2011

Cool. I always wanted to witness a cataclysm

ESO images of gas cloud

And right nearby, too. Well, at least nearby in terms of our universe. The center of our galaxy is a mere 27,000 light years away. And at the center is a black hole with the mass of about 4 million suns. Apparently a gas giant is circling the 40 billion square kilometer drain. It is elongating and angling in toward the black hole. The gas cloud accelerated to a speed of about 2,350 km/sec and predictions are that the interstellar collision will occur in the middle of 2013. The gas giant only has the mass of about three earths, but that'll be enough for a great show. As that matter gets rent asunder, all sorts of spectacular energy will be released. And since it'll be in our backyard, we'll have a front row seat. Get your popcorn ready!

No comments: