A red hot globular star with luminous spots is close to the sun. Known as the Proxima Centauri, the image of this smoking star – the closest to the sun, only four light years away – was shared by the respected French scientist Etienne Klein. Klein disclosed that this was one of the many stunning images captured by the ground-breaking James Webb Space Telescope. The world had already seen the stunning images by the JWST when NASA graced social media with them. Then, such detail was expected, but mind-blowing nonetheless. ‘A new world is revealing itself day by day’, Klein said. But has this scientist’s joke gone too far?
The interned flared up with retweets and reshares, and with a chuckle, the scientist came clean. This smoking hot circle was juicier than the world was expecting; it was, in fact, sausage! This close up photograph of the mouth-watering, tear-inducing ‘star’ was apparently Chorizo, a smoked type of Spanish sausage. The ‘scientist’s joke’ was taken very well by many citizens of the internet. The lighthearted share was, after all, Klein’s attempt to encourage people to not blindly believe the things they see doing rounds, even if they come from someone in authority.
One man’s meat, though, is another’s poison. Several stood up to the scientist who is the director of research at the French Commission of Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies. People are doubtlessly bound to believe what someone as respected in their field says. And, to be honest, the Chorizo really did look like a burning star.
Klein has apologized for the meaty picture of the Proxima Centauri, but the viral post has indeed taught us to be wary of the things we see on social media. But the world is a little traumatized. Next time we see a picture of something ethereal, we’re bound to ask, ‘star or sausage?’
Loved this scientist’s joke? Find out what you can do if a satellite falls on your roof!
0 Comments