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If this "average person" is going to get such a false impression from clear and correct information, then maybe there's no use them knowing it anyway? They're o
by lopmotr 6y ago
If this "average person" is going to get such a false impression from clear and correct information, then maybe there's no use them knowing it anyway? They're obviously not even trying. I know someone who thinks the Milky Way is the same thing as the solar system. That person won't be reading an article about astronomy and it's OK. They have their own life and don't care about it.
- coronadisaster 6y agoIt would have made more sense if they would have said that they are close to our solar system.
- Teever 6y ago"What's a solar system? Why didn't they just say how far it is from Earth."
- coronadisaster 6y agoIs the earth flat? are you still close when the earth turns 90 degrees?
- conductr 6y agoFeels like you’re calling me an idiot because, I’ll admit it, that’s exactly what I thought. You’re right in that I care significantly less now than I know the scale of “close” is not actually close in my terms. But it made it sound like a more impressive discovery than I perceive it to be. So, what they did is astronomical linkbaiting.
- lopmotr 6y agoSorry, I was going by the GP's mentioning light years. I see now that the article doesn't say that at the top, just "near the sun" which I agree is weird and confusing.
- WalterGR 6y agoIt doesn’t say it at the top or anywhere else. I assumed “near the sun” the meant between us and the sun, which would have blown my mind having taken just a few undergrad courses in astronomy and physics.