Maybe, anyway. This story passes the first test of credulity-straining internet news stories: the guy they name really does exist, really is at Penn State, and really does study the shadows on stars in astronomy.
Worth watching. As MikeD says, 'Important, if true.'
Schlock lives!
By the way, I never properly thanked you for introducing me to Schlock Mercenary. I've managed to get completely caught up and check it daily for updates! Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! By the logical property of transitivity, you really owe your thanks to Joseph W., who introduced me during one of his periods of activity here in the Hall. I've greatly enjoyed it over the years.
ReplyDeleteWe've looked at 150k stars out of how many, and we're ready to argue coincidence? Never mind that coincidental does not mean can't happen.
ReplyDeleteStill, if the setup was caused by a stellar pass-by, that star should be relatively easy to locate, since the disruption seems to have happened later in the target star's life--only a few millennia ago.
And I'm curious about the comet idea. Comets in sufficient number and close enough in to cause even aperiodic dimming would seem to have generated a potful of dust, just like our comets do when they come in one by each.
Aside from that, no one wants to spot alien civilizations more than I do, provided we see them first.
Eric Hines