More Proof Of God
Cullen is very excited about a huge ball of gas zipping through the the universe. And it is pretty neat.
But I have to admit that this is a lot more interesting to me:
Astronomers at the UK’s Jodrell Bank Observatory have discovered what is surely the strongest argument to date in favour of ploughing huge resources into space exploration: a giant “bridge” of methyl alcohol spanning around 288bn miles, within which is nestled a stellar nursery.
The booze cloud was spotted using the UK’s MERLIN radio telescopes in an area of our own galaxy rather uninspiringly called W3(OH). According to the Royal Astronomical Society blurb, this is a region where “stars are being formed by the gravitational collapse of a cloud of gas and dust”.
…Sadly, methyl alcohol is not currently suitable for human consumption, although we have no doubt that by the time mankind develops the technology necessary to reach W3(OH) it will also have evolved the capacity to successfully metabolise this molecule.
We thank you for this bounty that you have laid before us.
Public Service Announcement | Mr. Bingley | 
June 13, 2006 2:08 pm
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Uh, don’t get too interested. Humans can successfully metabolize methanol now. The problem is that the primary metabolite is formaldehyde. I think you can see why turning it into fuel or some other use is a better alternative.
Yes, but the Jodrell Bank is infamous for missing large ships moving through the sky exactly the way that bricks don’t.
Here’s another alternative
Yeah, this is just a huge reservior of windshield washer fluid.
We can use it to clean Uranus!
Prof Farnsworth – In 2600 scientists renamed Uranus to end that stupid joke once and for all!
Fry – So what’s it called now?
Prof F – Urectum.
The problem is that the primary metabolite is formaldehyde.
Well, if Mr. Bingley was ever able to partake of this bounty, he would certainly be pickled.
“Rectum? He damn near killed ’em!”
Formaldehyde? Whew.
I was afraid it was analnitrate.
There is no straw known to man that Bingley cannot utilize or, in desperation, design in pursuit of said objective.
Diptera ~ what happens to Klingons then?