Comments on: Gas Cloud on Collision Course with the Milky Way

By: Themistoklis

Themistoklis — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 14:53:29 +0000

if we are expanding as a Universe then, we are not receding. If we are expanding and receding as a Universe then again, we are in a collision course with another…. Universe. Nobody can verify [within our Galaxy] the Andromeda's existence 2,000 years ago and we just discovered the Smith's gaseous cloud using state of the art satellite telescope. We have much more to learn, Also we have so little time to enjoy and convert our knowledge to reality!

By: Peter K

Peter K — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 19:30:38 +0000

It would take the existing stars of the Milky Way to disturb this cloud into collapsing to create any new stars or enough density to affect the galaxial arms. If it blew through this solar system, it probably wouldn't make any particular difference at all. It's still more of a vacuum than scientists make in a lab. In it's entirety, it's huge, but taken in chunks, it's barely there.

By: Peter K

Peter K — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 19:25:24 +0000

Akbar,

Galaxies, in general, are receding from each other as the universe expands. I haven't heard any indication that the universe is rotating…what frame of reference would we have? However, within galaxy clusters, and amongst groups within those clusters, galaxies react to gravity or whatever other forces act on them. The Andromeda galaxy, our twin, is coming at us at 300km/s (thereabouts). We absorbed the smaller Sagittarius Galaxy millions of years ago. Galaxies evolve. The universe is not done by any means, This is not the universe you'll see in half a billion years.

By: pedro varon

pedro varon — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 14:50:48 +0000

In 40 million years when the cloud hits the milkyway, what would be the location of the sun? What part of the galaxy will it hit first? is our local group of stars at risk?

By: Akbar Ahmed

Akbar Ahmed — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 14:27:26 +0000

Arent galaxies supposed to be receeding from each other?.
How can they collide

By: Akbar Ahmed

Akbar Ahmed — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 14:15:03 +0000

Since the Universe is rotating, I wonder how can galaxies collide. Galaxies ought be be receeding from each other

By: Lohit

Lohit — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:11:50 +0000

This is really interesting… The News is all over the place…. before it happens i.e 40 million years.. i think humans will be prepared 4 it… is this cloud visible wit naked eye.. or u have to use some telescope 2 view this thing…. and i would like 2 knw d exact postion

By: John

John — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:10:24 +0000

So it hits 40 million years from now? I guess I won't wait up tonight to watch.

Fascinating stuff!

By: K. Tarbert

K. Tarbert — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 04:44:33 +0000

Fascinating! Another thought– could this be the remainder of some supermassive star supernova or run in with another to leave a gaseous nebula on the greyhound track out there? I can't really imagine this big an event, but I have seen some really unbelievable things like this coming to light lately. Is it even possible in theory?

By: Russell

Russell — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 01:15:13 +0000

Back in 1957, cosmologist Fred Hoyle wrote a novel (The Black Cloud) about an intelligent cloud of gas that entered the galaxy, then the Solar System.

Could this be it??

Hoyle describes the arrival near the Earth of a small interstellar cloud that can think and move of its own accord. A living organism, half a billion years old, as big as the orbit of Venus, and as massive as Jupiter, the Black Cloud has a "brain" that consists of complex networks of molecules which can be increased in number and specialization as the creature desires

see http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/B/BlackCloud.html

By: jairo

jairo — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 05:24:22 +0000

nice! it's very interesting! : ]

By: Antti o

Antti o — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 20:54:54 +0000

This gives really a new sight to the creation of the universe we know. It did't stop in the Big Bang and development just after that but keeps on. That makes you wonder whether how many cycles have already passed before this universe…

By: Josh M.

Josh M. — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 20:46:28 +0000

Maybe God pooted? : )

By: Chuck Lam

Chuck Lam — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 16:59:54 +0000

Why would star formation in the cloud wait until interaction with our galixy? Why isn't star formation occuring thorought the cloud now?

By: alfonso padilla

alfonso padilla — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 14:48:24 +0000

really cool post.
would this star formation affect the stars we see in the sky? you know if you where there 40 million years from now?

By: Rev.

Rev. — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 14:23:51 +0000

Something is gonna' get us before that thing arrives, probably our politices and the Bush's New World Order.

Thanks Lockman, an interesting observation.

By: Ron

Ron — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 12:44:48 +0000

This is just cool. i love your blog, keep on the good work.