This news item, telling us that the universe “might hold three times more stars than previously thought,” brought to mind one of WFB’s favorite stories.

A famous astronomer gives a public lecture on the latest findings in cosmology. At the end of the lecture he asks for questions from the audience. A little old lady puts her hand up.

“How long did you say it will be before the Sun burns out and dies?”

“Eight billion years, Ma’am.”

“Oh thank goodness! I thought you said ‘eight million’.”