How It Ends, By Chris Impey
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.This is a cheery work from a US astronomer about the death of everything. Displaying an adroit turn of phrase ("Nature is parsimonious... Think of your atoms as hand-me-downs"), Impey showers the reader with terminal revelations.
A study in 25 cardiac units is exploring whether out-of-body experiences exist. We learn that a star called WR104 is heading straight for us. "Like looking down a rifle barrel," says a researcher. "We probably have hundreds of thousands of years before it blows."
Universally, we may have a trillion years to go, though it may be a mere 20 billion according to the "big rip" theory. After filling our heads with such stuff, we can forgive Impey for claiming "Spit-alfields [is] within earshot of the bells of Westminster Abbey."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments