Saturday, February 19, 2005

Fact: The biggest explosion ever observed by humans occurred in a neutron star 50,000 light years away.

Fearmongering/sensationalism:
"Had this happened within 10 light-years of us, it would have severely damaged our atmosphere and would possibly have triggered a mass extinction"
Note carefully: the scientist didn't say, "Had the star been 10 light years closer to Earth, it would have severely damaged our atmosphere and would possibly have triggered a mass extinction"