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In space, no one can hear you swear. But they can see it, according to a new satellite image showing a curse word on the rooftop of a U.K. grammar school.

The roof was immortalized years ago by enterprising students who used bricks to spell out the offending word in 12-foot letters. Administrators at Sutton Grammar School have ordered the immediate removal of the curse word, which surfaced in a recent image from Google Earth.

"It was a lighthearted act," said Headmaster Gordon Ironside, "But I'd prefer it wasn't there -- or if it wasn't rude."

Astronauts say that, contrary to popular belief, the Great Wall of China is not the only man-made structure that can be seen from space. In Earth orbit, highways, dams and, apparently, student pranks are all visible. It raises the tantalizing possibility that one day alien life forms might discover us, and learn that we thought dirty words were pretty funny.