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Astronomers unravel a mystery of the Dark Ages
- Thread starter Ivan Seeking
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In summary, scientists at Cardiff University have determined that a comet colliding with Earth in the 6th century caused a series of very cold summers, similar to a nuclear winter, due to the debris from the explosion blocking out sunlight. This discovery challenges the previous belief that a volcano was responsible. It is possible that ancient records may provide further evidence of this event.
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theurinal
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Hey, Cool.
amaxing what our tech and research can find out.
amaxing what our tech and research can find out.
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the_truth
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They originally thought it was a volcanoe.
Astronomers 1
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Astronomers 1
Geologists 0
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russ_watters
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Hmm. Astronomers think it was a comet, geologists think it was a volcano - go figure.Originally posted by the_truth
They originally thought it was a volcanoe.
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the_truth
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ok then, for being wrong the geologists lose a point.
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franznietzsche
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I wonder if any records survive. We have access to roman records that were older if i am not mistaken, therefore it is not unconceivable that european monks of the day might have had records documenting such an incident (i assume we know of the crop failures from similar records). Or if it hit somewhere else records could be found in Asia.. i think that's the same time as the Tang dynasty, which should also have surviving records. It would be interesting to see some kind of confirmation from ancient records describing what would probably be referred to as a "wrath of god" event. At any rate its pretty interesting stuff.
FAQ: Astronomers unravel a mystery of the Dark Ages
1. What exactly is the "Dark Ages" in relation to astronomy?
The "Dark Ages" refers to a period of time in the early universe, specifically between 400,000 and 1 billion years after the Big Bang. During this time, the universe was filled with neutral hydrogen gas, which made it difficult for light to travel through and be observed by astronomers.
2. What was the mystery that astronomers were trying to unravel?
Astronomers were trying to understand why the universe was so dark during the Dark Ages. They were puzzled by the lack of light from stars and galaxies during this time period, as the universe was thought to be filled with gas and dust that should have allowed for the formation of stars.
3. How did the astronomers unravel this mystery?
The astronomers used a radio telescope to observe a distant galaxy and discovered that it was surrounded by a halo of hot gas. This gas helped to heat up and ionize the neutral hydrogen gas in the early universe, allowing light to travel through and be observed. This process is known as reionization.
4. Why is understanding the Dark Ages important?
Understanding the Dark Ages is important because it is a crucial time period in the evolution of the universe. It marks the transition from the early, simple universe to the more complex and structured universe that we see today. By studying this time period, we can learn more about the formation and evolution of galaxies, stars, and the universe as a whole.
5. What are the implications of this discovery for future research?
This discovery opens up new avenues for future research in understanding the early universe. The astronomers' findings provide a better understanding of the processes that led to the formation of stars and galaxies, and could also help in the search for other sources of ionizing radiation in the early universe. It also highlights the importance of studying the Dark Ages in order to gain a more complete understanding of the history of our universe.