Bayes or Bust? . Let's hear it for the Muster, Buster There is a newish cosmological theory - somewhat echoed by recent speculation in the LENR world - and applicable to an unusual energy regime of some dying stars, following a supernova. These stars do not act the way "they should," if the standard model were to be accurate (it seldom is, on the fringes).
"Electroweak stars", in theory would be powered by the direct conversion of quarks - the three constituent particles that make up protons and neutrons in nuclei - into leptons, including electrons, but especially neutrinos, which are undetectable. This is an alternative way that matter can be converted into energy with less of the expected indicia - like high energy gammas. Sound enticing? Here is a lite version of the story: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091214131132.htm In principle, the density and pressure involved in these kinds of stars would seem to preclude any possible application of the underlying mechanics to phenomena on earth; and especially not applicable to LENR . yet . if the suggested pathway from quarks to leptons in a real pathway, then . ahem . it could be somehow more relevant than anyone suspects. If the pathway is real, then it all becomes simply an issue of probability - not impossibility. Big difference. Many QM reactions, such as spontaneous fusion or fission, should be precluded from detection . if not even mentionable in polite company, due to low probability; but instead are seen in much higher numbers than they should be - in certain circumstances - often related to an enhanced "probability field" and the interpretation of same. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayesian_probability Jones Three quarks for Muster Mork . bottoms up, Mindy
