With the attention now being given to global warming let’s all stop and consider our planet’s perilous surroundings using science instead of media-driven frenzy-- which we should reserve for determining standards of acceptable public demeanor.
Earth, of course, is surrounded by space, and as Khan contemplates his revenge in Star Trek 2 he reminds Kirk of this inarguable fact of physics: it is very cold in space. Exactly how cold is dependent on several factors, so for the sake of brevity I will include only enough science to leave you entertained and slightly more educated.
Scientists measure the temperature of space with a standard we dimly recall from high school physics: Kelvin. The temperature is dependent on several factors including how “empty” space is, since regions with planets and stars like our sun have a different temperature than other areas of the universe, which don’t have much in the way of celestial stuff except for maybe a stray comet or two.
Generally, the accepted average temperature of space is approximately 2.725 Kelvin, which translates to a very brisk -270 degrees Celsius (not including the wind chill factor). For those of us who stubbornly cling to the old fashioned ways of measuring things, the average temperature of space is an incredible -455 Fahrenheit, which brings us to the point of this brief discourse.
Our sun has a finite supply of fuel. It may well burn for thousands of years, or it could go out before Sanjaya on American Idol. And if it does my friends, global warming will suddenly become an excellent idea, so we should all lay in a large supply of firewood, and keep our planet nice and toasty-- just in case.
Earth, of course, is surrounded by space, and as Khan contemplates his revenge in Star Trek 2 he reminds Kirk of this inarguable fact of physics: it is very cold in space. Exactly how cold is dependent on several factors, so for the sake of brevity I will include only enough science to leave you entertained and slightly more educated.
Scientists measure the temperature of space with a standard we dimly recall from high school physics: Kelvin. The temperature is dependent on several factors including how “empty” space is, since regions with planets and stars like our sun have a different temperature than other areas of the universe, which don’t have much in the way of celestial stuff except for maybe a stray comet or two.
Generally, the accepted average temperature of space is approximately 2.725 Kelvin, which translates to a very brisk -270 degrees Celsius (not including the wind chill factor). For those of us who stubbornly cling to the old fashioned ways of measuring things, the average temperature of space is an incredible -455 Fahrenheit, which brings us to the point of this brief discourse.
Our sun has a finite supply of fuel. It may well burn for thousands of years, or it could go out before Sanjaya on American Idol. And if it does my friends, global warming will suddenly become an excellent idea, so we should all lay in a large supply of firewood, and keep our planet nice and toasty-- just in case.
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