Science First-Ever Photo of Liquid on Extraterrestrial World

teedubya · 01-04-2009, 01:41 AM

http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2...anmethane.html

This could be a repost, not sure... but just stumbled onto it.

You can see the differences in the two pics... that could be underwater organisms... The first evidence of life on another planet?

teedubya · 01-04-2009, 01:42 AM

ARTICLE:

The Huygens probe has captured an image of what may be the first drop of liquid ever observed on an extraterrestrial surface.

The photo is evidence that liquids may exist on the surface of other planets and moons, not just frozen lakes. And liquid is more likely habitat for extraterrestrial life.

Among the pictures snapped by the Huygens probe after landing on Saturn's moon Titan in 2005, one appears to show a dewdrop made of methane that briefly formed on the edge of the probe itself (indicated by arrow at bottom of image on right). Scientists think heat from the probe caused humid air to rise and condense on the cold edge of the craft.

Though Huygens may have helped produce it, the methane drop is still the first liquid directly detected at a surface anywhere beyond Earth.

Like Earth, Titan has clouds, lakes and river channels, and it may be the only other place in the solar system where liquid evaporates from the surface and returns as rain. "Aside from Earth, it's the most exciting world there is," said lead author Erich Karkoschka of the University of Arizona in Tucson.

The Cassini space probe, which took data from above the moon after separating from the Huygens lander, detected what scientists believe are lakes of liquid methane on Titan's surface. Microbes that eat methane thrive on Earth, and scientists think pools of methane could be comfortable homes for similar organisms on Titan.

Because Titan's current atmosphere is a lot like the early Earth's, the lakes could be a lab for studying the origins and early evolution of life.

Astronomers have speculated since they found methane in the atmosphere in 1983 about whether the moon's methane rain falls in violent thunderstorms, light drizzles or some other form. So far, no one has caught it on camera.

The hundreds of images snapped by Huygens, from the time it hit the atmosphere until its power ran out an hour after it landed, revealed only faint, wispy clouds that looked nothing like rain clouds, Karkoschka said.
None of the images showed evidence that it had rained during the previous few years, according to an analysis to be published in the journal Icarus. And some images suggested that Titan’s lower atmosphere was full of small dust particles, which would have been cleared out by rain.

But the scientists noticed light splotches in some of the pictures that hadn't been there moments before. Some of them had spots that initially looked like raindrops because of their uniform size and smooth edges, but analysis showed they were most likely electronic imprints created by cosmic rays.

However, Karkoschka said, "One of those spots was so big that it really cannot be a cosmic ray." He concluded that it was a real, short-lived dewdrop, so close to the camera that it must have condensed on a cold metal shield designed to protect the camera lens from direct sunlight.

Robert West, a planetary scientist at the Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, California, thinks the dewdrop is "a cute observation," but he's more interested in the lack of rainfall. "There are reports in the literature that concluded there is a drizzle going on near the surface," he said. "The fact that Huygens didn’t find anything is significant."
— Lisa Grossman for Wired.com

Boon · 01-04-2009, 02:19 AM

It could just be piss.

Stryker · 01-04-2009, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boon

It could just be piss.

Hammock Parties · 01-04-2009, 02:22 AM

I welcome our new H2overlords

unlurking · 01-04-2009, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

I welcome our new CH4overlords

fixed your post

Demonpenz · 01-04-2009, 02:22 AM

won't be long until the crackers move in

bowener · 01-04-2009, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

won't be long until the crackers move in

Saltines or Oysters? I am pulling for the Oysters.

**chasedude** · 01-04-2009, 07:03 AM

Titan's ok, but we've been warned to stay away from Europa

Adept Havelock · 01-04-2009, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chasedude

Titan's ok, but we've been warned to stay away from Europa

ATTEMPT NO LANDINGS THERE.

I must have missed Jupiter's collapse.

kstater · 01-04-2009, 07:59 AM

It was staged.

**Skip Towne** · 01-04-2009, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kstater

It was staged.

The world is flat.

Ultra Peanut · 01-04-2009, 08:40 AM

Here are some dust devils on Mars:

Stewie · 01-04-2009, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultra Peanut

Here are some dust devils on Mars:

Trailer park nearby?

01-04-2009, 01:41 AM	Topic Starter
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $9490002	First-Ever Photo of Liquid on Extraterrestrial World http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2...anmethane.html This could be a repost, not sure... but just stumbled onto it. You can see the differences in the two pics... that could be underwater organisms... The first evidence of life on another planet?
Posts: 36,649

01-04-2009, 01:42 AM	#2
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $9490002	ARTICLE: The Huygens probe has captured an image of what may be the first drop of liquid ever observed on an extraterrestrial surface. The photo is evidence that liquids may exist on the surface of other planets and moons, not just frozen lakes. And liquid is more likely habitat for extraterrestrial life. Among the pictures snapped by the Huygens probe after landing on Saturn's moon Titan in 2005, one appears to show a dewdrop made of methane that briefly formed on the edge of the probe itself (indicated by arrow at bottom of image on right). Scientists think heat from the probe caused humid air to rise and condense on the cold edge of the craft. Though Huygens may have helped produce it, the methane drop is still the first liquid directly detected at a surface anywhere beyond Earth. Like Earth, Titan has clouds, lakes and river channels, and it may be the only other place in the solar system where liquid evaporates from the surface and returns as rain. "Aside from Earth, it's the most exciting world there is," said lead author Erich Karkoschka of the University of Arizona in Tucson. The Cassini space probe, which took data from above the moon after separating from the Huygens lander, detected what scientists believe are lakes of liquid methane on Titan's surface. Microbes that eat methane thrive on Earth, and scientists think pools of methane could be comfortable homes for similar organisms on Titan. Because Titan's current atmosphere is a lot like the early Earth's, the lakes could be a lab for studying the origins and early evolution of life. Astronomers have speculated since they found methane in the atmosphere in 1983 about whether the moon's methane rain falls in violent thunderstorms, light drizzles or some other form. So far, no one has caught it on camera. The hundreds of images snapped by Huygens, from the time it hit the atmosphere until its power ran out an hour after it landed, revealed only faint, wispy clouds that looked nothing like rain clouds, Karkoschka said. None of the images showed evidence that it had rained during the previous few years, according to an analysis to be published in the journal Icarus. And some images suggested that Titan’s lower atmosphere was full of small dust particles, which would have been cleared out by rain. But the scientists noticed light splotches in some of the pictures that hadn't been there moments before. Some of them had spots that initially looked like raindrops because of their uniform size and smooth edges, but analysis showed they were most likely electronic imprints created by cosmic rays. However, Karkoschka said, "One of those spots was so big that it really cannot be a cosmic ray." He concluded that it was a real, short-lived dewdrop, so close to the camera that it must have condensed on a cold metal shield designed to protect the camera lens from direct sunlight. Robert West, a planetary scientist at the Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, California, thinks the dewdrop is "a cute observation," but he's more interested in the lack of rainfall. "There are reports in the literature that concluded there is a drizzle going on near the surface," he said. "The fact that Huygens didn’t find anything is significant." — Lisa Grossman for Wired.com
Posts: 36,649

01-04-2009, 02:19 AM	#3
Boon a.k.a. Lenny Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Smack dab in the middle Casino cash: $9637069	It could just be piss.
Posts: 1,919

01-04-2009, 02:22 AM	#5
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4800478	I welcome our new H2overlords __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 277,505

01-04-2009, 02:22 AM	#7
Demonpenz I got Rice cookin in the micro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $3202136	won't be long until the crackers move in __________________
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01-04-2009, 07:03 AM	#9
chasedude Supporter Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: St. Joe Casino cash: $10004900	Titan's ok, but we've been warned to stay away from Europa
Posts: 36,287

01-04-2009, 07:59 AM	#11
kstater Custom User Title Join Date: Jan 2007 Casino cash: $1966563	It was staged.
Posts: 39,158

01-04-2009, 08:40 AM	#13
Ultra Peanut v^V^v^V^v^V^ Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Holland* Casino cash: $10005177	Here are some dust devils on Mars: __________________
Posts: 39,518