LOL!!!! It was so good I had to give it an encore.
2006-08-01 09:51:43 · 19 answers · asked by bc_munkee 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqhhW4n.vma6O9kCHuZUoBTsy6IX?qid=20060801133046AAsfVvE
2006-08-01 09:52:46 · update #1
Spectral analysis, as well as observation of the size of the stellar disc.
You can tell a lot by observing light emitted by a star.
Also, you can make predictions based on the large-scale organization of groups of stars. A galaxy can only be so small, you know, or else it would almost immediately collapse under its own gravity.
2006-08-01 09:59:13 · answer #1 · answered by Minh 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's all based on mathematical "constants." It is assumed that the properties of light remain the same throughout the galaxy. So, based on the speed of light, one could calculate distance.
However, we've already proven that light is affected by gravity. So, what other thus-far undiscovered forces could be acting on a star's light over the course of a billion light years?
Until we send actual space probes to other star systems, there's absolutely no way to measure the actual distance of stars. They could be exponentially farther, or perhaps even closer than what we "assume."
Kind of like the whole tootsie roll pop thing, the world may never know.
2006-08-01 17:00:41 · answer #2 · answered by Privratnik 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah... that answer was a real hoot. The answerer is a definite candidate for Jay Leno 'Jay Walkers' segment.
This is probably one of those people who asks... with mind-numbing brilliance and insightfulness... "If we evolved from monkeys, then why are monkeys still here?"
2006-08-01 17:03:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You accomplish so much with your third grade attitude of puting others down.
All hail to BC munkee for he is the smartest person in the world!
This post shows your intelligence is just below the person who gave that answer. After all, people attack others because they are insecure about themselves.
2006-08-01 16:59:56 · answer #4 · answered by Nep-Tunes 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nine hundred ninety nine thousand nine hundred ninety .... one billion!
There, it's done
I know, that was a classic, thanks for revisiting that. That has to be the stupidest thing I've heard on here. How does that guy get through a day of life without injuring himself?
2006-08-01 17:00:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one can count to a billion. *Sigh* I think some of you have been spending way too much time in here.
2006-08-01 16:56:31 · answer #6 · answered by Kithy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm thinking of getting that answer printed on a T-shirt. I'm still laughing at it 10 minutes later...
2006-08-01 16:56:05 · answer #7 · answered by XYZ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because we can do math. One of the most beautiful things about physics, especially astrophysics, is that it constantly generates new mathematics.
2006-08-01 16:55:07 · answer #8 · answered by Muffie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is one of the funniest freakin' things I have ever heard!!!
It's true, though. I'm only on 16,152, 273..74..75..
2006-08-01 16:57:36 · answer #9 · answered by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow! You're right! Science is teh sux0rz!!1
2006-08-01 16:54:48 · answer #10 · answered by koresh419 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋