Out There: Orbiting Saturn

ADS · 08-31-2012, 08:37 PM

A bunch of amazing new images released a couple of days ago from one of my favourite robotic explorers, the Cassini spacecraft, of Saturn and the big moon Titan (descriptions here):

For those who want to know, Titan is particularly interesting because it`s probably the only planet-like object in the Solar System (and to our knowledge) that has an atmosphere like the Earth (only way thicker and made up primarily of Nitrogen and Methane). Also the only object outside of Earth we know of that has liquid lakes and rivers as well as, apparently, the corresponding weather systems on the surface.

Adam West · 08-31-2012, 08:41 PM

you know what blew my mind last night? I was looking up stuff from the kepler mission and how they found gas giants in the goldilocks zone.

as of 2011 it has discovered 1235 planets, 54 of which being in the habitable zone.
even if we assume that every planet they have discovered is orbiting a separate star that would leave you with a ratio of 1 in 23 stars having a habitable zoned planet would it not? (I hate to admit it but I'm awful at maths)

a conservative estimate of stars in our own milky way galaxy is at 200 billion
4% of 200 billion is 8 billion no? 8 billion stars with planets in the habitable zone!

heckler · 08-31-2012, 08:42 PM

norona could learn a thing or two from your trip reports!

thewalrus · 08-31-2012, 09:04 PM

ADS · 08-31-2012, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam West

you know what blew my mind last night? I was looking up stuff from the kepler mission and how they found gas giants in the goldilocks zone.

as of 2011 it has discovered 1235 planets, 54 of which being in the habitable zone.
even if we assume that every planet they have discovered is orbiting a separate star that would leave you with a ratio of 1 in 23 stars having a habitable zoned planet would it not? (I hate to admit it but I'm awful at maths)

a conservative estimate of stars in our own milky way galaxy is at 200 billion
4% of 200 billion is 8 billion no? 8 billion stars with planets in the habitable zone!

And likely more than that. Kepler is awesome. It was actually announced last week that Kepler found a planet in the habitable zone orbiting a binary star system. A planet with two suns. Tatooine anyone?

ADS · 08-31-2012, 09:39 PM

When Cassini first reached Saturn in 2004 it actually dropped a small lander called the Huygens Probe on to the surface of Titan and received a few pictures. They were shockingly Earthlike compared to what we've seen elsewhere.

They figure the shot from where it landed is some sort of riverbed. Looks an awful lot like a rocky riverbed on Earth:

And rivers:

And mountains!

Adam West · 08-31-2012, 09:45 PM

huygens probe also was the first time they recorded wind noise outside of earth.

HIBuLlitT · 08-31-2012, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADS

When Cassini first reached Saturn in 2004 it actually dropped a small lander called the Huygens Probe on to the surface of Titan and received a few pictures. They were shockingly Earthlike compared to what we've seen elsewhere.

They figure the shot from where it landed is some sort of riverbed. Looks an awful lot like a rocky riverbed on Earth:

And rivers:

And mountains!

I was looking at images from there a few months ago and thought I saw some surf in
one of the methane lakes. Surf trip!

ADS · 09-01-2012, 12:19 AM

Better break out the heavy neoprene. That's going to be a cold surf trip.

HIBuLlitT · 09-01-2012, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADS

Better break out the heavy neoprene. That's going to be a cold surf trip.

O'neil is working on the new psycho hard shell dry suit. There's atmosphere so all you
need is thermal and radiation protection.

heckler · 09-01-2012, 03:09 AM

ADS, why don't you get into some of the pictures? Spawnsors love that shit!

ADS · 09-01-2012, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heckler

ADS, why don't you get into some of the pictures? Spawnsors love that shit!

Was saving those good shots for the millionaire's ball. But here's a sneak preview:

Now give me my moneyz!

HIBuLlitT · 09-01-2012, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADS

Was saving those good shots for the millionaire's ball. But here's a sneak preview:

Now give me my moneyz!

Fail, your horizon's off and I think you used photoshop.

ADS · 09-01-2012, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HIBuLlitT

Fail, your horizon's off and I think you used photoshop.

Not a chance. Those are flakes of awesome falling off my shadow.

drummer_dil · 09-01-2012, 06:19 PM

cant wait to send go-t up there to get the oil and kenN can build the best goddam sewer that planet has ever seen!

08-31-2012, 08:37 PM	#1
ADS Sesquipidalian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Po to the Mo Posts: 1,676 Rep Power: 5082522	Out There: Orbiting Saturn A bunch of amazing new images released a couple of days ago from one of my favourite robotic explorers, the Cassini spacecraft, of Saturn and the big moon Titan (descriptions here): For those who want to know, Titan is particularly interesting because it`s probably the only planet-like object in the Solar System (and to our knowledge) that has an atmosphere like the Earth (only way thicker and made up primarily of Nitrogen and Methane). Also the only object outside of Earth we know of that has liquid lakes and rivers as well as, apparently, the corresponding weather systems on the surface. Last edited by ADS; 09-01-2012 at 05:35 AM.

08-31-2012, 09:04 PM	#4
thewalrus Human Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bellingham/Vancouver/Central Asia Posts: 2,936 Rep Power: 2847546	__________________ "Bicycling is a healthy and manly pursuit with much to recommend it, and, unlike other foolish crazes, it has not died out." - The Daily Telegraph (1877)

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08-31-2012, 08:41 PM	#2
Adam West I voted for Kodos Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: not sooke Posts: 20,597 Rep Power: 21126166	you know what blew my mind last night? I was looking up stuff from the kepler mission and how they found gas giants in the goldilocks zone. as of 2011 it has discovered 1235 planets, 54 of which being in the habitable zone. even if we assume that every planet they have discovered is orbiting a separate star that would leave you with a ratio of 1 in 23 stars having a habitable zoned planet would it not? (I hate to admit it but I'm awful at maths) a conservative estimate of stars in our own milky way galaxy is at 200 billion 4% of 200 billion is 8 billion no? 8 billion stars with planets in the habitable zone!

08-31-2012, 08:42 PM	#3
heckler skookum Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: The Darkside Posts: 14,542 Rep Power: 13158808	norona could learn a thing or two from your trip reports!

08-31-2012, 09:39 PM	#6
ADS Sesquipidalian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Po to the Mo Posts: 1,676 Rep Power: 5082522	When Cassini first reached Saturn in 2004 it actually dropped a small lander called the Huygens Probe on to the surface of Titan and received a few pictures. They were shockingly Earthlike compared to what we've seen elsewhere. They figure the shot from where it landed is some sort of riverbed. Looks an awful lot like a rocky riverbed on Earth: And rivers: And mountains!

08-31-2012, 09:45 PM	#7
Adam West I voted for Kodos Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: not sooke Posts: 20,597 Rep Power: 21126166	huygens probe also was the first time they recorded wind noise outside of earth.

09-01-2012, 12:19 AM	#9
ADS Sesquipidalian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Po to the Mo Posts: 1,676 Rep Power: 5082522	Better break out the heavy neoprene. That's going to be a cold surf trip.

09-01-2012, 03:09 AM	#11
heckler skookum Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: The Darkside Posts: 14,542 Rep Power: 13158808	ADS, why don't you get into some of the pictures? Spawnsors love that shit!