Thursday, December 02, 2010

Scientists Find 200 Sextillion More Stars in the Sky

A study suggests the universe could have triple the number of stars scientists previously calculated. For those of you counting at home, the new estimate is 300,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. That's 300 sextillion.

The study questions a key assumption that astronomers often use: that most galaxies have the same properties as our Milky Way. And that's creating a bit of a stink among astronomers who want a more orderly cosmos.

It's one of two studies being published online Wednesday in the journal Nature that focus on red dwarf stars, the most common stars in the universe. The study that offers the new estimate on stars is led by a Yale University astronomer. He calculates that there are far more red dwarfs than previously thought, and that inflates the total star count."

That's one helluva lot MORE stars. Many, many planets. Some of whom have had a 6 billion year head start on us.

So where are they?

Traveling at 90% light speed, a space ship could circumnavigate the known universe in so long a time.

Twice. Stopping by each habitable or near habitable planet.

Know what that means? 

Means we're alone. Just like I like it. More civilizations, more of a chance I'd have to share my pistachio's.

No comments: