That’s right. AP is reporting on an announcement from the American Astronomical Society that the universe is more violent and awe-inspiring than previously thought:
The research findings from this week’s annual meeting of U.S. astronomers range from blue orphaned baby stars to menacing “rogue” black holes that roam our galaxy, devouring any planets unlucky enough to be within their limited reach.
“It’s an odd universe we live in,” said Vanderbilt University astronomer Kelly Holley-Bockelmann.
…
The gravitational force between the clashing galaxies can cause “slow strangulation,” in which crucial gas is gradually removed from the victim galaxy. “Stripping” is a more violent process in which the larger galaxy rips gas from the smaller one. And then there’s “harassment,” which is a quick fly-by encounter, said astronomer Meghan Gray of the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom.
Gray’s presentation essentially showed the victims of galaxy-on-galaxy violence. She and her colleagues are trying to figure out the how the dirty deeds were done.
(Story found via the Long Winters board.)