New data reveals Earth closer to a black hole and is moving 16,000 mph faster

A new study shows our planet is much closer to the supermassive black hole at the galaxy's center than previously estimated.

Credit: NAOJ
  • A Japanese radio astronomy project revealed Earth is 2,000 light years closer to the supermassive black hole at the Milky Way's center.
  • The data also showed the planet is moving 7 km/s or 16,000 mph faster in orbit around the Galactic Center.
  • The findings don't mean Earth is in more danger from the black hole but reflect better modeling of the galaxy.
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    Scientist figures out how to move our sun to avoid space collisions

    An astrophysicist proposes new designs for stellar engines that can move a solar system.

    Credit: CapnHack, via energyphysics.wikispaces.com.
    • An astrophysicist proposes two new designs for stellar engines.
    • The engines would be able to move our sun and whole solar systems.
    • Moving the sun would be necessary to avoid collisions with supernovas and other space catastrophes.
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    Do aliens exist? If they did, would we know?

    We still don't have proof of intelligent life beyond that on Earth.

    • One of the biggest questions is whether we are alone in the universe — could there be other intelligent life, besides us, out there? Currently, we don't have any evidence aliens exist.
    • There may have been a chance for a civilization to start billions of years before life began on Earth — one that is far more advanced, technologically speaking, than us. However, they're not making it very obvious. We have no proof of this.
    • If such an advanced civilization exists, though, it probably relies on solar energy to fuels its everyday activities.

    extraterrestrial life astronomy planet solar energy physics michelle thaller

    Magnetic north isn’t even close to where it used to be

    You won't notice much of a difference unless you're north of the 55th parallel, though.

    (Kirk Geisler/hobbit/Shutterstock/Big Think)
    • Magnetic north has recently been moving north from Canada to Russia in a cold hurry.
    • It's moving about 33 miles a year instead of the usual 7 miles.
    • World navigation models had to updated ahead of schedule to catch up with it.
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    Scientists Propose the Existence of a Giant New Space Object

    A new study by planetary scientists proposes a giant new space object which could have formed the Earth and the moon.

    A molten Planet. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.

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