Space Is Just a Little Bit Closer Than Expected 130
SpuriousLogic points out a BBC story which begins "The upper reaches of Earth's atmosphere are much lower than expected, a US Air Force satellite has found. Currently, the ionosphere — a layer of charged particles that envelopes the planet — is at an altitude of about
420km, some 200km lower than expected. The behaviour of the ionosphere is important because disturbances in its structure can upset satellite communications and radar."
Wow (Score:5, Funny)
interesting (Score:5, Funny)
Thats a pretty wide margin of error.
Things in the Ionosphere can be closer then they appear.
So... (Score:2, Funny)
...the current satellites may be working just by chance?
Obligatory (Score:5, Funny)
Chicken Little, after many years of mockery, finally has the last laugh.
Erosion of the ionosphere? (Score:5, Funny)
If this is an actual erosion of the ionosphere, we may be looking at a serious problem. Whereas a hole in the ozone only amounts to a net increase of UV radiation (not that that is any good for humans), a thinner ionosphere means more solar wind removing our planet's atmosphere. Enough erosion and we'll be more barren than Mother Theresa at a Gay Pride festival.
She's gone from suck to blow! (Score:5, Funny)
Has anyone noticed any large maid-like robotic entities in orbit? More importantly to our future, were there any winnebagos with wings nearby?
Re:Erosion of the ionosphere? (Score:3, Funny)
Where's the car? We need cars!
A good bad car analogy is: the ionosphere is like a Trabant, with an engine spewing out all manner of charged particles wrapped in a thin shell at best. And the effect being seen is like a stretch Trabant [today.com], as the thin shell is pulled beyond its limits. A pink one.
A stretch Trabant is also what government-subsidised car makers would result in, resulting in worse ionosphere damage. Perfect!
(Further) Off-topic: here's a heavy-duty Trabi mod: a V8 Trabant [oddrods.co.uk]. They basically had to build an entire car frame and put the original plastic shell around it.
Re:Commun ications (Score:5, Funny)
Nonsense. There is no way this will affect communi
[NO CARRIER]
Re:Wow (Score:5, Funny)
yet, were is the proof that its not the earth that is rising?
Global Warming Explanation!!! (Score:2, Funny)
Re:interesting (Score:2, Funny)
2) Redefine the boundary between space and atmosphere
3)
4) Profit!!
Re:She's gone from suck to blow! (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Even More Obligatory (Score:5, Funny)
Wow, 420 just took on a whole new significance!
You looking to get hooked up?
I got the new Ionic Chronic gets you so high, you'll feel like you're in outer space.
Charades (Score:5, Funny)
This reminds me of a party and a game of charades. To be perverse I decided to have my charade be "ionosphere" figuring I'd stump everybody and wouldn't be bugged anymore about playing.
Wouldn't you know it? Somebody guessed it in 15 seconds. Yeah, I hadn't counted on a radar systems engineer being at the party. :)
Re:She's gone from suck to blow! (Score:2, Funny)
It's 1234
5!!!!!
1-2-3-4-5? That's the stupidest combination I've ever heard of in my life! That's the kinda thing an idiot would have on his luggage!
Re:Charades (Score:5, Funny)
Your parties sound like a lot of fun. I think I'll stick to snorting blow off of hookers asses.
OK.... (Score:3, Funny)
Real title. (Score:5, Funny)
And with "just" they may be referring to the justice meaning. As in "Space's Justice is closer than expected". And "bit" might be about the binary unit, as in "it's a 1 closer or 0 closer.". Finally, the term "closer" could be about the baseball relief pitcher who closes the game.
So, for all we know, the title could perfectly mean:
"Euclidean's three extent dimensions are applying justice a little one or an equally little zero, relief pitcher who finishes the game, than expected"
Re:Wow (Score:3, Funny)
Earth is growing! [youtube.com] :o
Oh god, i don't want to headbutt space!
I'm building an underground city, if you want to live, follow me!
Re:She's gone from suck to blow! (Score:3, Funny)
What a coincidence! I have that same combination on my luggage!
Re:Charades (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Even More Obligatory (Score:2, Funny)
I misread that as "Ionic Colonic", a seriously disturbing image on so many levels...!!!