Time to pack. Huge gas cloud will hit Milky Way

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

How do the candidates feel about this?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7184521.stm

A giant cloud of hydrogen gas is racing towards a collision with the Milky Way, astronomers have announced.



Smith's Cloud, as it is known, may set off spectacular fireworks when it smacks into our galaxy in 20-40 million years.

It contains enough hydrogen to make a million stars like the Sun, say experts, and its leading edge is already hitting gas from our galaxy.

Their new measurements also show that the cloud is 11,000 light-years long and 2,500 light-years wide. The monster cosmic "fog bank" is careering towards our galaxy at more than 240km/s (150 miles/s) and is set to strike the Milky Way at an angle of 45 degrees.

[Richard D]

1. Guess we can finally say . . .

THE SKY IS FALLING!

[ananda]

2. Gosh..

20-40 million years seems like tomorrow
the way I read it. lol

[jgraz]

3. Hey, that looks familiar

[Kurovski]

5. Must...RESIST...urge...to photoshop...this picture.

x(

[Junkdrawer]

6. Now now now...sometimes a cigar is just a cigar...

:evilgrin:

[Kurovski]

15. ...until it's photoshopped.

:evilgrin:

[IdesOfOctober]

4. Smith's Cloud? LOL. You just made my day.

Let me get this straight. There's a cosmic gas cloud ... named Smith?

Ides

[A HERETIC I AM]

7. I heard they were going to name it "Billo".....

but they were worried that "Billo the gas cloud (bag)" might get them into some sort of Trademark infringement problems.

Seems "Billo" and "Gas" when used together are already spoken for.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

8. It does lack a certain...grandeur. But, Bruce Willis will save us.

[IdesOfOctober]

10. Caption that thought cloud.

Some blogging Borg put it all out there, man.

Ides

[dkofos]

9. Interesting, but plenty of time to worry about this later.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

11. Are you waiting for the certain "After Collision Sale"?

[DemoTex]

12. "Sir... does this mean that Ann-Margret's not coming? "

Pvt. Joker to Lt. Lockhart (in Full Metal Jacket) as the Tet offensive breaks out in Viet Nam.

[Perry Logan]

13. Not again...

[originalpckelly]

14. This message brought to you by the kind folks at Beano.

[zorahopkins]

16. The Three Musketeers Will Protect Us!

If a huge gas cloud is going to hit the Milky Way, then I am quite sure the Three Musketeers will protect us.

[Ravy]

17. Had me worried. I first read 20-40 THOUSAND years away... nt

[ConcernedCanuk]

18. MILKSHAKES for everyone!!

.
.
.

:bounce:

oh -

looks like most of us won't be around then "when it smacks into our galaxy in 20-40 million years."

shucks

[MilesColtrane]

19. That can't be good for my Direct TV reception.