Comment Re:hilarious (Score 1) 1297
The United States also tried to invade Canada.
First Evidence of Supernovae Found In Ice Cores 145
KentuckyFC writes "Supernovae in our part of the Milky Way ought to have a significant impact on the atmosphere. In particular, the intense gamma-ray burst would ionize oxygen and nitrogen in the mid to upper atmosphere, increasing the levels of nitrogen oxide there by an order of magnitude or so. Now a team of Japanese researchers has found the first evidence of a supernova's impact on the atmosphere in an ice core taken from Dome Fuji in Antarctica. The team examined ice that was laid down in the 11th century and found three nitrogen oxide spikes, two of which correspond to well known supernovae: one event in 1006 AD and another in 1054 AD, which was the birth of the Crab Nebula (abstract). Both were widely reported by Chinese and Arabic astronomers at the time. The third spike is unexplained, but the team suggests it may have been caused by a supernova visible only from the southern hemisphere or one that was obscured by interstellar dust."
Comment Re:Quantum Choas (Score 1) 149
Semiconductor lasers have a very high gain and the cleaved facets of the chip itself actually act as mirrors to reflect light within the cavity. In some cases, the facets are also coated with a thin-film.
Reflecting laser light back into the cavity (after it's emitted) creates an unstable oscillator. Generally avoided when performing science as it causes erratic light output.
I didn't RTFA, but I have experience working with lasers.
Comment WWIII (Score 2, Insightful) 290
I just hope the Internet can stop (prevent) World War Three
Slashdot Top Deals
May all your PUSHes be POPped.
