Comments on: Enceladus

Enceladus

homunculus — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:52:15 -0800

Source Of Geysers On Saturn's Moon Enceladus May Be Underground Water. Earlier this year the Cassini spacecraft detected organic material in the geysers of Enceladus. The question now is, how's the fishing?

By: Artw

Artw — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:58:05 -0800

ALL THESE MOONS ARE YOURS EXCEPT ENCELADUS. ATTEMPT NO LANDINGS THERE.

By: The Whelk

The Whelk — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:03:00 -0800

Future Ask Metafilter post: What with all the economic strife and home foreclosures, can I really expect a new and better life Off-World?

By: Artw

Artw — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:04:42 -0800

You get a free replicant!

By: Smedleyman

Smedleyman — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:20:39 -0800

Ooh, hot water vapor on organic chemical action. Y'know, some folks (nuts, mostly) thought Cassini was going to end the world. Now I'm thinking that might be true. If Cassini picks up freakin' fish, that would radically change how we look at things. It would 'end' the world. At least the phase of where we were thinking only Earth had life. Although some people will still probably shoot at each other over their favorite band/team/god/turf, etc. Also traffic will continue to suck. ...maybe I should rethink this whole hypothesis here, but still, pretty cool.

By: Artw

Artw — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:22:52 -0800

Now, it would be wrong to contaminate potentially life-bearing planetary bodies, but every time I hear a story like this I can't help thinking that it would be great to seed the hell out of them with extremophile bacteria and see what happens (a Time Machine so you can check the results would be handy there also).

By: Brandon Blatcher

Brandon Blatcher — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:35:50 -0800

ALL THESE MOONS ARE YOURS EXCEPT ENCELADUS AND EUROPA AND NEW JERSEY. ATTEMPT NO LANDINGS THERE.

By: Brandon Blatcher

Brandon Blatcher — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:37:50 -0800

Now, it would be wrong to contaminate potentially life-bearing planetary bodies, Are you kidding, it's a chance to do life all over again, but without eye boogers!

By: Blazecock Pileon

Blazecock Pileon — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:39:00 -0800

ALL THESE CHOCOLATES ARE YOURS EXCEPT GRACE JONES' HEAD. ATTEMPT NO NIBBLINGS THERE.

By: quin

quin — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:39:02 -0800

"There are no Merpeople on Enceladus. Contrary to the rumors that I'm sure you've all heard, the Cassini spacecraft did not detect any signals which sounded like half-man half-fish people cavorting under a tranquil sea. Furthermore, it would be completely irresponsible for any members of the press to suggest to the people out there that the mermaids are of such exceeding beauty that normal men will be struck speechless by the mere sight of them. I repeat, do not make any efforts to build home-built space faring submarines for the purposes of mating with the gorgeous and enchanting creatures who live under the surface of Enceladus. Because there aren't any. Now, if you will excuse us, myself and several of the other scientists involved in this discovery are taking a much needed extended vacation. We will not be available for the foreseeable future. Please... no further questions... No, that is not a scuba mask, and I'll thank you to stay out of my luggage..."

By: Marisa Stole the Precious Thing

Marisa Stole the Precious Thing — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:39:31 -0800

The Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrometer saw a much higher density of volatile gases, water vapor, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, as well as organic materials, some 20 times denser than expected. Squeeee~! every time I hear a story like this I can't help thinking that it would be great to seed the hell out of them with extremophile bacteria and see what happens I fully support this idea. Everyone, round up the water bears!

By: GuyZero

GuyZero — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:40:41 -0800

Good news: they have water Bad news: they have those gigantic squids with elbows

By: Brandon Blatcher

Brandon Blatcher — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:41:21 -0800

Oh man, the bigbigpicture gallery is fantastic, thanks!

By: Justinian

Justinian — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:50:02 -0800

Ultimately, another mission in the future could conceivably land near the plume or even return plume material to Earth for laboratory analysis. Return plume material containing organic compounds to Earth for analysis? What could possibly go wrong?

By: ook

ook — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:51:07 -0800

SCREW IT. I CHANGED MY MIND. NO MOONS FOR YOU. YOU KIDS GET OFF MY MOONS. YOU CAN KEEP NEW JERSEY IF YOU WANT.

By: Artw

Artw — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:59:05 -0800

Return plume material containing organic compounds to Earth for analysis? What could possibly go wrong? It's okay, when we combine it's DNA with human DNA for no appreciable reason we'll use female DNA, that way it will be more docile and nothing can possibly go wrong.

By: Artw

Artw — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:02:08 -0800

/half a shitty movie later. It's okay, Forest Whitaker is psychic and he's going to help us track it down!

By: Class Goat

Class Goat — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:07:39 -0800

Footnote: Chemosynthesis

By: homunculus

homunculus — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:13:10 -0800

In other news: Hubble Finds Carbon Dioxide on Extrasolar Planet Water Vapor Confirmed on Alien Planet

By: Marisa Stole the Precious Thing

Marisa Stole the Precious Thing — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:19:46 -0800

The gas giant with the carbon dioxide and water is cool and all, but with Enceladus, there's at least a chance Kurt Russell and Wilford Brimley will set up base camp there, playing cards, drinking, and taking measurements ... until one night, when something goes horribly wrong.

By: Brandon Blatcher

Brandon Blatcher — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:38:15 -0800

My god, we're surrounded!

By: heathkit

heathkit — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:46:10 -0800

By: Artw

Artw — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:48:02 -0800

Spice!

By: maxwelton

maxwelton — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:50:10 -0800

So, 310 miles across...is there really any gravity to speak of?

By: caddis

caddis — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:50:21 -0800

Is terraforming a barren world wrong?

By: Artw

Artw — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:00:51 -0800

Apparently barren.

By: Artw

Artw — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:02:19 -0800

heathkit - FWIW I'm working my way up to a Lifeforce reference.

By: 5MeoCMP

5MeoCMP — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:06:50 -0800

heathkit: here you go

By: Artw

Artw — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:13:52 -0800

A joint American-Soviet space expedition is sent to Jupiter to learn what happened to the Discovery. Deckard, a blade runner, has to track down and terminate 4 replicants who hijacked a ship in space and have returned to earth seeking their maker. A message from outer space contains instructions on how to modify human DNA.

By: brundlefly

brundlefly — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:21:25 -0800

Marisa Stole the Precious Thing, how long were you alone with that dog?

By: fuq

fuq — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:37:28 -0800

Everyone already made the references that I was going to make, so I'm just going to say that this is a wonderful early Saturnalia present for zombie Carl Sagan. Also, EnSALADus.

By: homunculus

homunculus — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:41:24 -0800

Who Owns the Moon?

By: Devils Rancher

Devils Rancher — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:42:03 -0800

Good news: they have water Bad news: they have those gigantic squids with elbows Bu do they have cameras?

By: homunculus

homunculus — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:03:44 -0800

A sugar molecule that's linked to the origin of life has been detected in a region of our galaxy where habitable planets could exist.

By: The Whelk

The Whelk — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:20:42 -0800

In honor of this news, I played the following songs on the jukebox at the Bar tonight Life On Mars - Seu Jorge Starman - David Bowie Science Fiction Double Feature - Rocky Horror Picture Show War Of the Satellite - The Ventrues Cantina Band Theme -Star Wars Mothership Connection (star child) - Parliament Funkadelica

By: fantabulous timewaster

fantabulous timewaster — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:36:24 -0800

maxwelton, the wikipedia says surface gravity is about 1% of what it is on earth.

By: penduluum

penduluum — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:39:35 -0800

The Whelk: wherever it is you drink has an outstanding jukebox.

By: The Light Fantastic

The Light Fantastic — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:54:22 -0800

Hopefully, if they do get a sample from the geyser, it won't turn out like this.

By: Mitrovarr

Mitrovarr — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:27:39 -0800

Considering what it would likely cost to design a probe that could fly to Saturn, orbit Enceladus, take a sample, return, and survive re-entry, I wouldn't really worry too hard about what would happen when if you brought a sample back.

By: ryanrs

ryanrs — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 03:17:39 -0800

One percent of Earth's gravity? I'm surprised it manages to stay wet.

By: DU

DU — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:22:54 -0800

ALL THESE PLATES ARE YOURS EXCEPT BEANS. ATTEMPT NO THINKING THERE.

By: EndsOfInvention

EndsOfInvention — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:33:41 -0800

ALL THESE SUBJECTS ARE YOURS EXCEPT CAT DECLAWING. ATTEMPT NO ASKMES THERE.

By: Pollomacho

Pollomacho — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:43:32 -0800

Enceladus' brew is like carbonated water with an essence of natural gas Mmm, just like Mountain Dew!

By: vibrotronica

vibrotronica — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:16:25 -0800

You get a free replicant! Replicants are like puppies. There's no such thing as a free one.

By: Artw

Artw — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:37:55 -0800

Puppies have souls!

By: Smedleyman

Smedleyman — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:46:36 -0800

USE THEM TOGETHER. USE THEM IN PEACE ...AND LISTEN, AS LONG AS I'VE GOT YOU, COULD YOU ASK MY WIFE WHAT SHE DID WITH MY CD'S? I DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO TALK TO HER ABOUT THAT AND I HAD SOME GOOD STUFF: SHAGGY, 3 DOORS DOWN, CRAZY TOWN. I KNOW IT'S BEEN 10 YEARS...BY THE WAY, HOW DID MIAMI FINISH OUT THE 2001 SEASON? I KNOW THEY WERE ON TOP OF THE AFC EAST WITH THE PATRIOTS...SORRY, THAT'S PROBABLY NOT REALLY APPROPRIATE. I'M JUST KIND OF STUCK HERE IN THIS HUGE BLACK FEATURELESS MONOLITH WITH HAL, Y'KNOW THE A.I. THAT WENT CRAZY AND TRIED TO KILL ME? YOU CAN ONLY GEEK OUT ABOUT THE PROPORTIONS BEING THE SQUARES OF THE FIRST THREE ORDINALS FOR SO LONG. ALL HAL WANTS TO DO IS KEEP APOLOGIZING, THAT OR PLAY CHESS. OH, AND I DON'T LIKE THE NAME 'STAR CHILD.' NOT A BIG DEAL, IT'S JUST...I'M GOING THROUGH THIS METAMORPHOSIS FROM MATERIAL BEING TO SENTIENT ENERGY AND THE SCOPE OF HUMANITY IS PRETTY SMALL SO I SWITCH FROM OLD MAN TO EMBRYO THE WAY YOU GUYS SCRATCH OR SOMETHING. I'M PROBABLY RAMBLING...BUT, UH, DID LUCAS EVER FINISH THE STAR WARS TRILOGY? THAT FIRST MOVIE WAS PRETTY BAD AMIRITE? OK, OK, SORRY, YES, I'M RAMBLING. I'LL GET GOING. BUT PICK UP THE PHONE SOME TIME IF YOU GET THE CHANCE. I DON'T WANT TO BE A JERK HERE BUT I DID SAVE YOU ALL FROM NUKING YOURSELF. I'M NOT SAYING YOU OWE ME, BUT IT WOULD BE NICE TO GET A CALL ONCE IN A WHILE THAT'S ALL. ANYWAY, UH, I'LL LET YOU GO. AND UH, JUST STAY AWAY FROM THE NEW LIFE OK? WHAT WITH THE NUKES AND ALL - I'M NOT TRYING TO BE PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE HERE OR ANYTHING, BUT YOU KNOW, I WAS HUMAN TOO ONCE, SO JUST WATCH IT. ...OH, THAT SOUNDS LIKE A THREAT DOESN'T IT? SORRY, SORRY. NOW YOU'LL NEVER CALL ME. LOOK, JUST BE CAREFUL OK? AND UH, IF YOU GET THE CHANCE, DROP BY. IT'S WAY MORE COOL AND INTERESTING HERE THAN I MAKE IT SOUND. REALLY. THE ALIEN GUYS...UH, I PROBABLY SHOULDN'T GO INTO THAT STUFF, BUT WOW. SOME REALLY INTERESTING THINGS HERE THAT, Y'KNOW, YOU COULD LEARN. SO, I'M NOT SAYING NOW, BUT WHEN YOU GET THE WHOLE PROPULSION THING WORKED OUT AND THE WHOLE 'MY COUNTRY CAN BLOW UP YOUR COUNTRY' THING OUT OF THE WAY, GIVE ME A CALL AND I'LL SHOW YOU SOME PRETTY TRIPPY STUFF, OK? HAVE A GOOD ONE. OH, YEAH, IT'S DAVE, BY THE WAY. JUST, UH, DAVE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO CALL ME 'STAR CHILD'. OK, SEE YOU SOON, I HOPE. SO, OK, UH, BYE

By: Pollomacho

Pollomacho — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:03:29 -0800

Do canine-droids dream of herding electric sheep?

By: euphorb

euphorb — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:20:49 -0800

"There are only three places in the solar system we know or suspect to have liquid water near the surface," Colwell said. "Earth, Jupiter's moon Europa and now Saturn's Enceladus." That quote can't be right. Liquid water is actually suspected on Mars, Charon, Titan, and even Ceres.

By: five fresh fish

five fresh fish — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 20:03:18 -0800

Life is tenacious, relentless, inevitable. Life is these things because it is mathematical. tenacious: Life is not easily dispelled or discouraged. It is persistent in its existence. Once life has existed, it tenaciously clings to life. It does not give up its life easily. relentless: Life exists where it can exist. If there is a place for life, life is there. Life is so much a part of this universe that the force toward life is oppressively constant; incessant. inevitable: Life is certain to happen. In this universe, it is a situation that is unavoidable. mathematical: Life is the inference of a the law of selection upon imperfect replication mechanisms. That which replicates more successfully will be selected to replicate more often, to the natural limit of the environment. Specialized life found 9200' below us in bedrock and space-like environments of cold, radiation, and impoverished resources are excellent examples. Where life can exist, it will exist. Life is mechanical. Far more interesting, and of far more importance, is consciousness and our use of it — i.e. how to apply it toward faith and deeds. Religion should not be about why life exists: it should be about how to best achieve a positive post-death outcome.

By: homunculus

homunculus — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:47:27 -0800

Sky Show Friday: Biggest, Brightest Full Moon of 2008

By: homunculus

homunculus — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 19:27:11 -0800

Enceladus!

By: homunculus

homunculus — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:54:35 -0800

First-Ever Photo of Liquid on Extraterrestrial World

By: Marisa Stole the Precious Thing

Marisa Stole the Precious Thing — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:33:08 -0800

First-Ever Photo of Liquid on Extraterrestrial World Titan always comes through.

By: homunculus

homunculus — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 12:16:24 -0800

The Geysers of Enceladus