Strike deathray from list of concerns?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ivan Seeking
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    List
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the potential threat of gamma ray bursts (GRBs) from stars in our galaxy and their implications for life on Earth. Participants explore the likelihood of such events occurring, the factors influencing their occurrence, and the broader implications of recent studies on this topic.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants reference a study suggesting that the chances of a gamma ray burst occurring in our galaxy and causing destruction are very low.
  • Others express skepticism about this conclusion, noting that metallicity may influence the likelihood of GRBs, but it does not eliminate the possibility of a rogue, low metallicity star causing a GRB in nearby satellite galaxies.
  • A participant mentions a recent event involving a neutron star, SGR 1806-20, which produced a significant gamma ray flare, highlighting the potential danger if such an event occurred closer to Earth.
  • Another participant humorously suggests that while cosmic threats may be low, human-made threats, such as energy beam weapons, remain a concern, reflecting a distrust in assurances about safety.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the likelihood and implications of gamma ray bursts occurring in our galaxy. While some find comfort in the low probability suggested by studies, others raise concerns about the potential for rogue stars and the implications of recent astronomical events.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes references to specific astronomical events and studies, but participants do not reach a consensus on the overall threat level posed by gamma ray bursts.

Ivan Seeking
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
Messages
8,252
Reaction score
2,664
Doomsayers and Chicken Little-types can now strike "deathray from a star" from their list of possible ways to die.

A new study finds that the chances of a gamma ray burst going off in our galaxy and destroying life on Earth are comfortingly close to zero. [continued]
http://space.com/scienceastronomy/060424_mm_star_deathray.html
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
There are dissenting opinions on the possibility of GRB's detonating in our galaxy. Metallicity appears to be a factor, but, does not rule out a rogue, low metallicity, star going GRB in a satellite galaxy.
 
Chronos said:
There are dissenting opinions on the possibility of GRB's detonating in our galaxy. Metallicity appears to be a factor, but, does not rule out a rogue, low metallicity, star going GRB in a satellite galaxy.
As in the Magellanic Clouds or Andromeda galaxy, or one further away?
Local group - http://www.seds.org/messier/more/local.html
Galactic groups - http://www.seds.org/messier/g-group.html

There was recently - a neutron star that erupted is SGR 1806-20, about 50,000 light years from Earth in the constellation Sagittarius. The light detected from the giant flare was far brighter in gamma rays than visible light or X-rays.

. . . .

"The next biggest flare ever seen from any soft gamma repeater was peanuts compared to this incredible December 27 event, said Dr. Bryan Gaensler of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, lead author on the Nature paper. Had this happened within 10 light years of us, it would have severely damaged our atmosphere and possibly have triggered a mass extinction. Fortunately there are no magnetars anywhere near us."
http://www.everything-science.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=111&Itemid=2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SGR_1806-20
http://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/watchtheskies/swift_nsu_0205.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Gee it's good to know that the universe is not planning to wipe us out, but that doesn't guarantee some mad despot is not planning an energy beam weapon to fry us all - I have seen James Bond movies. It could happen, the establishment are just trying to lull us into a false sense of security so we keep working and pay our taxes.
 

Similar threads

High School GRB 250702B, the longest gamma-ray burst in history
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
High School Neutron star 4U 1820-30 spins at 716 revolutions per second
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
3K
Graduate Could a star survive a direct hit from a gamma ray burst?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
10K
Can you watch a gamma-ray burst from the side?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Graduate Gamma ray bursts (GRB) and distribution of life
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
Writing: Input Wanted Can a Gamma-Ray Burst Affect Communication Devices?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Can a Death Star weapon actually be built?
  • · Replies 40 ·
2
Replies
40
Views
8K
High School Friday the 13th, 2029? The odds of impact
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
9K
Writing: Input Wanted Different Cosmic Disasters for Different Plot Points
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Killing Earth with a cosmic flashlight
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K