Thirteen Light Years Long

• Astronomers studying the results noticed what looked like a comet with an enormously long tail. As they studied it further, they realized the tail was material that had blown off Mira and now stretched out a distance the equivalent of 20,000 times the average distance between Pluto and the sun.

• Martin said the discovery shows not only how matter is spread through the galaxy by fading stars but also points to the likely fate of our own star. The sun is expected to last another 4 billion to 5 billion years and then dissipate in a way perhaps similar to Mira.

It won't be forever, but it will last more than long enough for us. The insects will likely have ruled for millennia on Earth by then. It's hubris to think that our planet is the center of "the plan." I bet Bertrand would agree.
- posted by john @ 9:18 PM