Posthuman Blues

Astronomers Had it Wrong: Most Stars are Single

For more than 200 years, astronomers thought that most of the stars in our galaxy had stellar companions. But a new study suggests the bulk of them are born alone and never have stellar company.

Since planets are believed to be easier to form around single stars, the discovery could mean planets are more common as well.

I'd write a nifty summary of why this discovery is important, but Chris Wren has beaten me to it. Just let me go on record saying that the "rare Earth" extremists who maintain we're the only so-called "intelligent" species in the universe look even sillier than they used to -- which is very silly indeed.