Posted on 01/22/2005 3:25:58 PM PST by followerofchrist
PARIS - Saturn's largest moon apparently is lashed regularly by rain made of liquid methane, forming pools, cutting river beds and eroding rocks in much the same way that forces have shaped the Earth, scientists said.
The European Space Agency's probe that landed on Titan's frozen surface a week ago put Europe's stamp on the distant reaches of the solar system with its discoveries of a mysterious, methane-rich globe. snip On Earth, methane is a flammable gas. On Titan, it is a liquid because of the intense pressure and cold - 274 degrees below zero. snip The river beds are darkened by what seem to be particles of smog that fall out of Titan's atmosphere, coating the terrain. The dirt apparently gets washed off the ridges by the methane rain to collect in the river channels. snip Scientists believe the dark smog particles are formed by Titan's methane, breaking up in the atmosphere. That raised another question: Where does the methane come from?
"There must be some source of methane inside Titan which is releasing the gas into the atmosphere. It has to be continually renewed, otherwise it would have all disappeared," Owen said.
(Excerpt) Read more at home.peoplepc.com ...
Did the guy say "Americans" were stingy or western nations? I believe I heard a US official saying he said western nations.
Give me a break! Michael Moore couldn't survive there. There's nothing to eat.
This is significant. I believe methane is considered an 'organic molecule'.
Because Europe can EAT OUR FLORIDA!!!!
Face it, Europe are our allies. We wouldn't be here had Europeans not come here and birthed us. Europeans do not ruin discoveries, they actually take part and lead many of them around the world.
And America also competes with the EU, she doesn't want any other nations having any power because she wants to be the only superpower. I don't understand why our proserity or theirs is dependent on other nations not being prosperous.
I have relatives in Europe and have a difficult time going along with this trend of trying turn her into an enemy.
"Because Europe can EAT OUR FLORIDA!!!!"
Oh, that's an intelligent statement. Why not just get drunker on power and declare war on the whole world!
EXcellent idea.
I HEREBY DECLARE WAR ON EARTH.
Mars is next.
I've wondered about this. On Mars, just trace amounts of methane were hailed as a possible indicator of life. But here on Titan, oceans of methane are thought normal. but this guy says it has to be renewed? That seems strange to have whole oceans that must be renewed. Are they sure methane would escape? How does Titan compare to Mars in mass? Would it be better at retaining methane?
L
I just wonder where it all came from.
Then I wonder what the shipping costs would be.
We'll be rich, rich I tell you!
L
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