While most of us slept on the morning of March 19, hours before the death of famed science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke was announced, a shot rang out in the Universe the likes of which are unknown in human history. By a preliminary analysis, this object was visible to the unaided human eye in the constellation Bootes, and at an estimated 7.5 billion light years, it was the farthest object ever observable by the human eye in all of recorded history. In addition, it was 2.5 million times more luminous than the most luminous supernova ever recorded, making this event, according to a NASA news release, “the most intrinsically bright object ever observed by humans in the universe.”
Unfortunately it has now faded below unaided-eye visibility, but for a few shining hours, those who might have seen it were fortunate to have observed an event unlikely to occur again in our lifetimes.
It brings to mind the previously known farthest objects ever seen. Within the Milky Way Galaxy, one of the farthest was Tycho’s Star, a supernova seen in November 1572. Its distance has been estimated at about 10,000 light years. Beyond the Milky Way the farthest objects normally visible to unaided human eyes include the Andromeda Galaxy at about 2.4 million light years, and M33 at 2.9 million light years. I suspect that there have been supernova explosions in farther galaxies visible to the human eye, but so far as I know there are no records.
I had the great honor to have met Sir Arthur and to have spent a few hours with him at his home in Sri Lanka some 22 years ago. We corresponded, sporadically, for years. He even included my name in 2061: Space Odyssey Three, an unexpected honor I will always remember.
I propose that henceforth we refer to the March 19 gamma ray blast, officially designated GRB 080319B, as the “Clarke event” in honor of Sir Arthur. Was it the Universe reacting to the loss of this great man? No, as he himself would have told you, although likely not without prefacing it with a mischievous grin and an allusion to the gods being angry with him. No it wasn’t the Universe mourning Sir Arthur. Instead, at its enormous distance, the light from this event formed and left on its journey long before Earth was born, presumably also making it the oldest event ever directly witnessed by human eyes. But what more fitting an honor for Sir Arthur?
I wholeheartedly support your suggestion to name this recent GRB the “Clarke Event.” I’ve been a Clarke fan for too many years to count. It does seem a shame that most news agencies refer to “2001″ as his most outstanding work. Few people nowadays known how he influenced the growth of communication technology by offering his theory of geosynchronous placement of satellites in earth orbit.
I hope his passing was peaceful. He was a great author and a greater original thinker.
Mary,
I met and to an extent knew ACC. He was truly a visionary and a very open, honest, stunningly brilliant and if I may use a term of which he might not fully approve — a GOOD man. He dedicated his life to truth and rationality. I suggest that everyone who is interested in honoring Dr. (Sir) Clarke, should contact their nearest astronomer (and any others they can think of — mails are often freely available on the net with a simple Google search — as well as planetariums and observatories) with the suggestion that the Marhc 19, 2008 GRB (GRB 080319B) henceforth be known as the “Clarke Event.” There is a good list of planetariums here:
http://www.lochnessproductions.com/lpco/lpco.html
If there is enough popular sentiment on our side, something might happen. IF nothign happens, at least we tried.
To be sure, if we do nothing, it will fizzle. Is Dr. Clarke worth a few emails? I think so, and I urge everyone to email everyone you can think of to promote this idea. Or we can just sit back and watch TV.
Everyone who reads this should be the judge. We can do something good, or we can watch TV.
LS
I also met Arthur C Clarke at a lecture in Bristol UK. I have read many of his books and always find myself drifting into other worlds and thoughts.
He was an original thinker and his loss will only be really realized in years to come.
I think the “Clarke Event” is a wonderful idea and I will try and persuade others to support this.
Regards Richard
What a wonderful way to honor a man who expanded so many minds. I like to think his life force is riding the gamma ray burst through the universe just like the energy that projected out of the monolith.
Although Clarke is certainly worthy of honor, I strongly suspect that the man himself would have been appalled by this suggestion. Read his short story “The Star” to see why. It’ll take but a few minutes. Go on, I’ll wait…
http://lucis.net/stuff/clarke/star_clarke.html
The parallels are obvious, no? The conclusion, inescapable?
Dave,
I disagree entirely. I read “The Star” 35 or 40 years ago. It seems to me that this makes it even more significant to call the GRB the “Clarke Event.” While the ending of “The Star” implies annihilation of life around the star, this is a fate that awaits all stars and any civilizations that they may harbor. It is an expression of the power and magnificence of nature, and while the preesumed loss of life would be highly unfortunate, it is just a fact of how the universe works. In any event, “The Star,” is a short story, and not known fact — at least in terms of the implications.
There is absolutely no evidence that the recently observed GRB obliterated any life, although it is reasonable to expect that it did. But if current thinking is correct, out of destruction comes new stars, new planets, new life. [”All these worlds are yours save Europa. Attempt no landing there.”]
The honor I intended for ACC was simply to acknowledge the inspiration he was for so many, and I think it is appropriate to express this through an awe-inpiring celestial event. Our Sun will not explode like this, but at some far distant time it will swell and wipe all life off the face of the Earth, yet it is a symbol of power and the very source of life to us. ACC would not want to be revered, but there is no harm in honoring.
ACC was not religious (you could rightly say that he was strongly anti-religious), but I personally think that the meaning of “The Star” was not that God destroyed this star, but rather that no god really had anything to do with it. Einstein said, and I paraphrase, “God is indifferent, but he is not malicious.” The reference was not to the traditional idea of God, but rather to Nature. Nature is indifferent, so there could have been no malice in the destruction.
I don’t presume to speak for Sir Arthur, but I did to a certain extent know him, and I doubt that he would be upset by having the GRB associated with him.
LS
excellent idea …. deserves to be implemented as soon as possible
I have secured this domain with the hope of being able to donate it to whatever organization makes the “Clarke Event” their mission.
“This mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it.”
i have loved all his novels and short stories. i agree with you completely.what a wonderful author and visionary!
Um, a small error that has even propagated to Wikipedia, which refers to this cite:
GRB 080319B was detected roughly five hours AFTER Arthur C. Clarke’s death was announced. I read it on CNN shortly after one in the morning, Greenwich mean time, and GRB 080319B reached Earth at ~ 6:13 GMT that day.
Yes, calling any future GRB’s “A Clarke Event” is a great way to honor this man. I never met this man execpt via his books.