What's happening to life forms in the Perseus A cluster?

Comments and questions about the APOD on the main view screen.
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ATraylor
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What's happening to life forms in the Perseus A cluster?

Post by ATraylor » Thu Dec 08, 2005 2:36 pm

Hello, I'm new around here (and an English major, so please be gentle!)

Looking at today's APOD got me wondering--assuming that, statistically speaking, there are life forms that have evolved elsewhere in the universe, and that some of them have cropped up in the mass of galaxies falling into Perseus A's black hole, what's the quality of life like over there?

This sounds like a flippant question, I know, but it's more whimsical than anything. Looking at the image of Perseus A just got me wondering what it would be like to live on a planet circling a star that's falling headlong toward destruction. If the image is any indication, it looks like it would be quite bright because of all the stars in such close proximity. Would it follow that there'd be massive heat and gravity as well? Is life as we know it even possible in such an environment?

Please, speculate! :)
--Exit pursued by a bear

craterchains
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Post by craterchains » Thu Dec 08, 2005 2:55 pm

I get the sun block concession. 8)

Norval
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BMAONE23
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Post by BMAONE23 » Thu Dec 08, 2005 5:55 pm

since the fall occurs over the span of millions of years it would probably go unnoticed by the masses during the individual lifetime. Those planetary systems that were near to the center would be subject to such a violent environment that life would probably be non existant long before the end came.

FieryIce
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Post by FieryIce » Fri Dec 09, 2005 1:39 am

Crispy Critters?
Meats back on the meun boy!
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harry
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Post by harry » Sat Dec 10, 2005 3:09 am

Hello Atraylor

Why worry about them.

Because our solar system is heading to the same destiny. The central Black Hole is sucking everything in.

The milky way has already had collisions with other galaxies and their remains have formed small saterlite galaxies.

Its part of the natural process of recycling.
Harry : Smile and live another day.

harry
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Post by harry » Sat Dec 10, 2005 3:55 am

Harry : Smile and live another day.

makc
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Post by makc » Sat Dec 10, 2005 6:23 pm

Image

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