The Collapse Begins

Looks like the shrinking of the world isn't just in our minds. The world really is getting smaller.

The upper reaches of Earth's atmosphere are much lower than expected, a US Air Force satellite has found.
Currently, the ionosphere - a layer of charged particles that envelopes the planet - is at an altitude of about 420km, some 200km lower than expected. (bbc)

So space is actually closer than everyone thought? Remember how a nova works kids: first things collapse inward and then explode outward.