Astronomers wave big thermometer at universe

[Rick]

The world's largest thermometer has just entered active service. This isn't a cue for all sorts of "ooh, Matron" remarks, since the thermometer in question is taking the temperature of billion-year-old clouds of gas, way "out there" in the universe.

More: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/08/06/galaxies_thermometer/