NASA Photos: Global Eruption Rocks the Sun

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a significant solar eruption that occurred on August 1, 2010, and its implications for understanding solar activity. Participants explore the impact of this event on scientific perceptions and funding in the field of solar observation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the solar eruption as a major event that could challenge existing theories about solar activity.
  • Another participant expresses skepticism about the motivations behind the sensationalism in reporting such events, suggesting it may be tied to funding and personal interests.
  • A third participant comments on the nature of discourse in the thread, indicating a prior impression of another participant as potentially trolling.
  • A later reply critiques the state of science education and journalism, arguing that they often fail to convey the true wonder of scientific discoveries, leading to sensationalism for funding purposes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit a mix of skepticism and concern regarding the motivations behind the portrayal of scientific events, indicating a lack of consensus on the appropriateness of sensationalism in science communication.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the impact of sensationalism on public perception and funding in science, as well as the adequacy of science education in fostering genuine interest in natural phenomena.

Naty1
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"Dec. 13, 2010: On August 1, 2010, an entire hemisphere of the sun erupted. Filaments of magnetism snapped and exploded, shock waves raced across the stellar surface, billion-ton clouds of hot gas billowed into space. Astronomers knew they had witnessed something big.

It was so big, it may have shattered old ideas about solar activity..."



http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/13dec_globaleruption/
 
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Naty1 said:
It was so big, it may have shattered old ideas about solar activity..."
And if I can stir up enough media hysteria we can get the go ahead for that expensive new solar observation satellite that should assure my employment for the next ten years at least. Yes! The Winebago is mine!
 
If I hadn't read some of Ophiolite's other posts I would have written him/her off as a troll.
 
Thank you Barakn. For those who haven't had the singular opportunity of reading some of my other work, here is a translation of my previous post:

Science education is inadequate in conveying a true sense of wonder about any natural event. As a consequence science journalists and even some scientists think they need to sex up their discoveries.

Worse still, to get proper funding from the guys with the purse strings, some scientists think resorting to prositution is OK.
 

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