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Something Has Exploded In a Spectacular Fashion On Uranus
Gizmodo.com ^
| October 30, 2011
Posted on 10/31/2011 10:21:14 PM PDT by PJ-Comix
Quit snickering! Something on Uranus has erupted and now scientists are all in a tizzy about what and why it might be.
The news is exciting for a number of reasons. The simplest being we know very little about Uranus, mostly due to its incredible distance form Earth and because it's, well, frankly one of the more "boring" planets out there.
But now, apparently, it's amazing again, all because of a mystery explosion in its atmosphere. Why is the explosion important? Mostly because Uranus's unique axis (on its side), amongst other things:
"The reason we care about the clouds on the planet Uranus is that they seem to be seasonally driven," said planetary scientist Heidi B. Hammel over at MSNBC.com. "Uranus spins tipped over on its side, giving rise to extreme changes in sunlight as its seasons progress. The changes are therefore much more dramatic than for other planets. Uranus thus gives us unique insight into the energy balance in a planetary atmosphere."
Add to that the fact that Uranus's northern hemisphere gets sunlight for 42 straight years while the southern is in darkness and this blue gem of the outer solar system starts to look a little less "boring" with each passing observation.
TOPICS: Astronomy; Science
KEYWORDS: astronomy; catastrophism; moonsofuranus; ringarounduranus; solarsystem; uranus; xplanets
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Uranus spins tipped over on its side...Only after heavy drinking.
1
posted on
10/31/2011 10:21:15 PM PDT
by
PJ-Comix
To: PJ-Comix
***Something Has Exploded In a Spectacular Fashion On Uranus***
Nope, nope, false alarm. Only a fart.
2
posted on
10/31/2011 10:23:46 PM PDT
by
irishtenor
(Everything in moderation, however, too much whiskey is just enough... Mark Twain)
To: irishtenor
3
posted on
10/31/2011 10:25:36 PM PDT
by
spokeshave
(Cain....100% American, 100% Black and 100% for the Constitution...999 an added benefit.)
To: PJ-Comix
Fry: “Hey, as long as you don’t make me smell Uranus.” *laughs*
Leela: “I don’t get it.”
Professor: “I’m sorry, Fry, but astronomers renamed Uranus in 2620 to end that stupid joke once and for all.”
Fry: “Oh. What’s it called now?”
Professor: “Urectum. Here, let me locate it for you.”
Fry: “Hehe, no, no, I think I’ll just smell around a bit over here.”
4
posted on
10/31/2011 10:26:19 PM PDT
by
DManA
To: irishtenor
PROFESSOR FARNSWORTH: I'm sorry, Fry, but astronomers renamed Uranus in 2620 to end that stupid joke once and for all.
FRY: Oh. What's it called now?
PROFESSOR FARNSWORTH: Urectum.
5
posted on
10/31/2011 10:26:30 PM PDT
by
Kartographer
(".. we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.")
To: spokeshave
Uranians testing a death ray.
6
posted on
10/31/2011 10:26:55 PM PDT
by
spokeshave
(Cain....100% American, 100% Black and 100% for the Constitution...999 an added benefit.)
To: PJ-Comix
Something on Uranus has erupted Maybe on yours, all is quiet here.
Sounds like you got some bad grub with your el-cheapo coupons??
Be very careful with open flames for a day or so.........
To: Kartographer
8
posted on
10/31/2011 10:29:34 PM PDT
by
DManA
To: PJ-Comix
9
posted on
10/31/2011 10:30:51 PM PDT
by
Feline_AIDS
(A gun in hand is better than a cop on the phone.)
To: PJ-Comix
Was this it?
10
posted on
10/31/2011 10:32:55 PM PDT
by
mylife
(The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
To: PJ-Comix
The simplest being we know very little about Uranus, mostly due to its incredible distance form Earth and because it's, well, frankly one of the more "boring" planets out there.Hardly. What graduate student would apply for a grant to study Uranus?
...would reply in a job interview when asked what their thesis was on, "Uranus", and expect to get employment?
...would tell perspective girlfriends they were busy "studying Uranus"...
No wonder no one has touched that planet with a 10 foot pole...
11
posted on
10/31/2011 10:34:20 PM PDT
by
Smokin' Joe
(How often God must weep at humans' folly. Stand fast. God knows what He is doing)
To: PJ-Comix
Suddenly the bathroom scene from Dumb and Dumber popped into my head.
To: PJ-Comix
***Something on Uranus has erupted****
Them planetary emrods are a bitch. A need for Planetary Pazo or Prep-H.
13
posted on
10/31/2011 10:35:40 PM PDT
by
Ruy Dias de Bivar
(Click my name. See my home page, if you dare!)
To: PJ-Comix
That’s why the proctologist wanted to cauterize those hemorrhoids.
14
posted on
10/31/2011 10:36:49 PM PDT
by
Nik Naym
(It's not my fault... I have compulsive smartass disorder.)
To: PJ-Comix
15
posted on
10/31/2011 10:36:54 PM PDT
by
Tex-Con-Man
(T. Coddington Van Voorhees VII 2012 - "Together, I Shall Ride You To Victory")
To: PJ-Comix
The news is exciting for a number of reasons. The simplest being we know very little about Uranus, mostly due to its incredible distance form Earth and because it's, well, frankly one of the more "boring" planets out there.Cool name, though.
16
posted on
10/31/2011 10:40:52 PM PDT
by
Allegra
(Hey! Stop looking at my tagline like that.)
To: SunkenCiv
17
posted on
10/31/2011 10:41:45 PM PDT
by
Captain Beyond
(The Hammer of the gods! (Just a cool line from a Led Zep song))
To: doorgunner69
Ping, With the mindset of this group, this has gotta become a riot!
we know very little about Uranus
and we intend to keep it just that way!
To: PJ-Comix
Add to that the fact that Uranus's northern hemisphere gets sunlight for 42 straight years .... Nonsense. The sun never shines on Uranus.
19
posted on
10/31/2011 10:57:16 PM PDT
by
Mr Ramsbotham
(Laws against sodomy are honored in the breech.)
To: PJ-Comix
What does the Starship Enterprise and toilet paper have in common?
They cirle Uranus looking for Klingons. Sorry I couldn't help myself!
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