A gamma ray burst may have happened in or around the Andromeda Galaxy - if validated as one, this bu - Polidicks

[url]http://space.io9.com/was-that-just-a-gamma-ray-burst-1582373688[/url] [quote=io9]No, really, did the Swift Gamma-Ray Burst Mission just find a Gamma-Ray Burst originating in Andromeda? If so, it will be the closest burst we've ever observed. Twitter has exploded with excited astronomers and astrophysicists, all using the #GRBm31 hashtag (for Gamma Ray Burst in Messier 31, Andromeda). We might have just seen a Gamma Ray Burst from the Andromeda galaxy. If we did, that's incredible! But to hold on to proper journalist caution: we might not have. The public data is just not enough to confirm that it's a Gamma Ray Burst from the galaxy next door, so don't get too upset if later updates negate the whole theory. It might be an Ultraluminous X-Ray Object instead of a burst, which would be extremely cool in a very different way, or it might be from somewhere behind Andromeda. But if you've got access to a telescope and a view of Andromeda, now is a very good time to take a look.[/quote]

Looks like Andromeda is firing the first shots.

If it hits us will we all become the Hulk, or will this be some Fantastic 4 bullshit?

[QUOTE=Katatonic717;44928036]If it hits us will we all become the Hulk, or will this be some Fantastic 4 bullshit?[/QUOTE] Mass extinction.

[QUOTE=Katatonic717;44928036]If it hits us will we all become the Hulk, or will this be some Fantastic 4 bullshit?[/QUOTE] We've seen it, so its already hit us, or it missed.

[QUOTE=Tuskin;44928053]We've seen it, so its already hit us, or it missed.[/QUOTE] When do I get my super powers?

[QUOTE=Katatonic717;44928061]When do I get my super powers?[/QUOTE] Right after you get your cancer.

[QUOTE=sloppy_joes;44928045]Mass extinction.[/QUOTE] I love space, but it's spooky as hell. A billion things could kill us at any moment and yet I'm still here.

[QUOTE=Skarr;44928100]I love space, but it's spooky as hell. A billion things could kill us at any moment and yet I'm still here.[/QUOTE] *we're* still here.

[QUOTE=Skarr;44928100]I love space, but it's spooky as hell. A billion things could kill us at any moment and yet I'm still here.[/QUOTE] Kinda like that solar storm that just missed us awhile back. A similar one happened back in the 19th century, and it melted telegraph cables all across the US. Imagine if this one had hit us.

[QUOTE=UberMunchkin;44928118]I swear if you fucking jinxed us all[/QUOTE] Oh don't worry. It's probably going to happen in 30 minuites and there is no way for you to tell if I'm right or not until after those 30 mins are over.

[QUOTE=gt118;44928121]*we're* still here.[/QUOTE] Sorry, you don't exist.

[QUOTE=sloppy_joes;44928045]Mass extinction.[/QUOTE] Who would survive other than Hulk Hogan and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?

It'll probably wipe out a civilization of medieval snakemen a few light-centuries away, no biggie. Shit happens all the time.

[QUOTE=ironman17;44928228]It'll probably wipe out a civilization of medieval snakemen a few light-centuries away, no biggie. Shit happens all the time.[/QUOTE] Reports are saying it destroyed two gangster planets, and a cowboy world.

[QUOTE=Katatonic717;44928036]If it hits us will we all become the Hulk, or will this be some Fantastic 4 bullshit?[/QUOTE] If I understand correctly, it's impossible for Andromeda to hit us with lethal gamma ray bursts. She isn't at the right angle for it. And our Solar System, Sun, and Atmosphere are working constantly to prevent harmful radiation from reaching us.

[QUOTE=sloppy_joes;44928045]Mass extinction.[/QUOTE] Worse. Cancer.

[QUOTE=Janus Vesta;44928088]Right after you get your cancer.[/QUOTE] So powers to give people cancer.

And then everyone gets the superpower known as cancer

[quote] if you've got access to a telescope and a view of Andromeda, now is a very good time to take a look.[/quote] are there any photos of whatever is going on? I'd love to see what has changed if anything

[QUOTE]But if you've got access to a telescope and a view of Andromeda, now is a very good time to take a look.[/QUOTE] Let me just dust off the ol' gamma-ray observatory in my shed.

[QUOTE]if you've got access to a telescope and a view of Andromeda, now is a very good time to take a look.[/QUOTE] Forgive my ignorance, how would a telescope work for gamma rays? iirc gamma is like 2 nm and visible is 400-700nm?

[QUOTE=Chinook249;44929048]Forgive my ignorance, how would a telescope work for gamma rays? iirc gamma is like 2 nm and visible is 400-700nm?[/QUOTE] I think the event releases some visible light but I can't see how it would be noticeable with an amateur scope.

[QUOTE=IceWarrior98;44928291]If I understand correctly, it's impossible for Andromeda to hit us with lethal gamma ray bursts. She isn't at the right angle for it. And our Solar System, Sun, and Atmosphere are working constantly to prevent harmful radiation from reaching us.[/QUOTE]If a gamma ray burst was headed our way, our solar system would do nothing to prevent it. You probably wouldn't notice it coming. You'd most likely just stop existing before you knew it.

Man, shit like this makes me glad that we are still alive. Imagine if we all died right now that would be pretty shit. I mean i would have spent my last useless moments on a Internet Forum.

[QUOTE=sloppy_joes;44928045]Mass extinction.[/QUOTE] lmao no idiot that isn't how science works I for one welcome our new super powers [QUOTE=UberMunchkin;44928118]I swear if you fucking jinxed us all[/QUOTE] uhh no that's my job

[QUOTE=Ignhelper;44928695]And then everyone gets the superpower known as cancer[/QUOTE] Especially on the side facing the GRB I think we'd be burned to death before we got cancer. It's quick at least though, right?

[QUOTE=dije;44929537]If a gamma ray burst was headed our way, our solar system would do nothing to prevent it. You probably wouldn't notice it coming. You'd most likely just stop existing before you knew it.[/QUOTE] If it was heading our way yes. But I was referring to it's current orientation. Any radiation that is pelted at us would likely be less than 1% of what could have been had Andromeda been pointing our way.

[QUOTE=IceWarrior98;44929700]If it was heading our way yes. But I was referring to it's current orientation. Any radiation that is pelted at us would likely be less than 1% of what could have been had Andromeda been pointing our way.[/QUOTE] The GRBs don't have fixed angles, the galaxy can be "pointing" one way (Does a galaxy even have a front?) and the burst can come from any point within the galaxy.

[QUOTE=IceWarrior98;44928291]If I understand correctly, it's impossible for Andromeda to hit us with lethal gamma ray bursts. She isn't at the right angle for it. And our Solar System, Sun, and Atmosphere are working constantly to prevent harmful radiation from reaching us.[/QUOTE] Those things are powerless. If a GRB aimed squarely at Earth goes off the only saving grace we can bank on is pure distance. If we're close enough we will get very badly messed up. And by we I mean life as we know it. GRBs don't give a shit, they'll sterilize entire star systems.