Mysterious radio waves detected in nearby galaxy

M82 is 12 million light years from here. I don't have time to do the math right now but I would say it will be along time coming. Amazing something moving 4 times the speed of light. Would'nt it be here in about 3 million years?

Would'nt it be here in about 3 million years? Hmmm, normally I would completely agree, but somehow that almost seems too simple.

Hmmm, normally I would completely agree, but somehow that almost seems too simple. Far too simple! It isn't actually travelling four times the speed of light, that would be in violation of a very fundamental principle in physics, which states that no object with mass can ever accelerate to reach the speed of light (let alone surpass it!). It only appears to be travelling so quickly due to an optical illusion. It isn't headed directly for us either, the article is referring to its apparent sideways motion. Interesting stuff.

Far too simple! It isn't actually travelling four times the speed of light, that would be in violation of a very fundamental principle in physics, which states that no object with mass can ever accelerate to reach the speed of light (let alone surpass it!). Movement is relative, so if you believed that theory a while back (regarding the possibility of warp speed) it may actually be possible to be somewhere faster than light can reach somewhere...not by moving faster than it but by causing ripples in space/time. I honestly can't be bothered to Google that theory as I don't think it was given al... [More]

Movement is relative, so if you believed that theory a while back (regarding the possibility of warp speed) it may actually be possible to be somewhere faster than light can reach somewhere...not by moving faster than it but by causing ripples in space/time. I honestly can't be bothered to Google that theory as I don't think it was given all that much credit, but there were a couple of articles posted on this site about it. I'm just saying it could (however unlikely) be possible, that's all. I believe what you're referring to is the Alcubierre drive which, as you described, would allow 'faster... [More]

It's the 2012-doomsday comet beginning it's path towards Earth, of course.

I believe what you're referring to is the Alcubierre drive which, as you described, would allow 'faster than light travel' (as seen from a remote observer) by manipulating the dimension of space. Whether or not that's possible, it wouldn't actually be in violation of the principle I cited, which is that no object with mass can accelerate to the speed of light, a slight but crucial point. It means that several work-arounds may still be possible to enable faster than light travel, but they'll have to do it by bypassing the acceleration problem. Ya that's exactly what I meant, not in violation of... [More]

It's the 2012-doomsday comet beginning it's path towards Earth, of course. LOL

Man someone always has to bring Science into the conversation.... sigh. Ok so spider it will fly past us in 12 million years. Not nearly as fun a 3 million (party is off guys ). UNLESS!..... they fold space and are here by tomorrow!!! (party back on!! )

Umm, if something was coming here from there moving 4x the speed of light, and we just saw it, its already passed us. Something isn't right there.