Science: It's what's for breakfast.

[cherry]

This has been an awesome two weeks for science.

The Large Hadron Collider trapped antimatter atoms (38 anti-hydrogen atoms, to be precise).

Then, scientist announces that there may be more than three times the numbers of stars and solar systems in the universe than was previously thought, potentially adding trillions more Earth-like planets.

Now, NASA has announced that a bacterium capable of replacing phosphorous with arsenic has been found. I'm not sure if I can express how potentially momentous this is: phosphorous is one the four main 'building block' elements held to be required for life. This opens up the possible environments for life not only directly but also indirectly, given opportunities for other such substitutions.

SCIENCE IS AWESOME, GUYS.

Comments

[deathisyourart.livejournal.com]

I'm looking at all my Biology and Physics textbooks and wondering exactly how much whiteout I need after this week :P

[cherryice.livejournal.com]

It may not be the best week in science ever, but it is pretty darn big. (I teach first years on campus -- continuing to follow the rote will be interesting.)

Man, the constants in the Drake equation have just been expanded exponentially.

[deathisyourart.livejournal.com]

SERIOUSLY! Just last year the estimates for Ne were getting smaller and smaller, and now I think we have to go back to using '2' and work from there. It isn't just the Drake equation either, because the Drake is just for potential life that is advanced enough to contact us, whereas the Arsenic utilization could be for all manner of life.

Oh science, you are too cool! I only wish that I had the time, focus and the brain power to learn all of you.

[cherryice.livejournal.com]

Seriously! Especially with the majority of these new stars being red dwarfs, with their lifespans, and the recent suggestions that even planets tidally locked to them could have Earth-like, habitable bands between the dark and light regions.

At this point, I must admit, I almost think that people who believe there is no life out there in the universe, in any form, are trolling.

Man, lately, I've been being a little sad I didn't decide to try and become an astronaut. Not that I have the motion sickness stomach for it, but I reaaaaaaaaaaaaally want to go to space. SPACE.

Why can't I do and learn everything? It is terribly unfair, I tell you!

[http://users.livejournal.com/_divya_/]

You posted this right after today's xkcd went up, which to me, seeing them display in reverse chronological order on my flist, was like hearing a piece of news and then having someone immediately make a perfect joke about it. ♥

P.S. HELLO.

[cherryice.livejournal.com]

Heee! I am glad that I both shared information and helped to set up a punch line! (The alt-text for that comic is THE BEST.)

PS: HIIIIIIII.

[raucousraven.livejournal.com]

I hadn't heard about the bacterium! *scurries off the read*

*scurries back with thanks for tip*

[cherryice.livejournal.com]

It is amazing news, isn't it? Glad you found it interesting!

[deathisyourart.livejournal.com]

WEll... it was fun while it lasted

http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/NASA+study+well+grounded/3942393/story.html

[cherryice.livejournal.com]

Hrrrrm. I'm not a microbiologist myself, but I think I shall wait to see both articles before drawing conclusions.

... Damn it, I still want to belieeeeeeeeeeeve.