24 Sep 13
1 edit
Originally posted by RJHindscould be, so i searched through the saturn pictures and found an infrared version, and it is definitely there:
It may be an optical illusion.
The Instructor
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/multimedia/gallery/gallery-index.html
ok, it wont let me direct link it here so go to photo #17 for the image in that gallery 🙂
25 Sep 13
Originally posted by wolfgang59The underlying terrain is not that shape. The underlying terrain creates that shape in the circular winds above it. What shape the underlying terrain is, I do not know. It may be a standing wave created by a single mountain, or something more complicated. Who here knows how to do fluid dynamics simulations?
Then the question is why is the underlying terrain that shape?
More likely it's the remains of an alien research centre.
25 Sep 13
Originally posted by twhiteheadAny underlying terrain would be thousands of miles below the level we see in the photo's. This is strictly a wind effect, however it is being brought off. Maybe its an alien power converter🙂
The underlying terrain is not that shape. The underlying terrain creates that shape in the circular winds above it. What shape the underlying terrain is, I do not know. It may be a standing wave created by a single mountain, or something more complicated. Who here knows how to do fluid dynamics simulations?
25 Sep 13
1 edit
Originally posted by sonhouseWhy so many 'alien' suggestions? Is the intelligent design argument just so hard to resist? Hexagons are found all the time in nature, there is no reason to think this one is not entirely natural.
Maybe its an alien power converter🙂
Do you have any references regarding the depth of Saturn's atmosphere ie the actual height of those clouds?
I am now leaning towards a magnetic effect, or electrostatic. Do you know if Saturn has a strong magnetosphere?
25 Sep 13
Originally posted by twhiteheadThat was supposed to be a joke🙂 Saturn does have a strong magnetic field. Still, don't know how magnetics would make for hex shapes. My guess is the tips of each hex is an area where a huge hurricane sits, kind of permanent. It might be that 200 years ago this feature didn't exist and 200 years from now it will also be gone.
Why so many 'alien' suggestions? Is the intelligent design argument just so hard to resist? Hexagons are found all the time in nature, there is no reason to think this one is not entirely natural.
Do you have any references regarding the depth of Saturn's atmosphere ie the actual height of those clouds?
I am now leaning towards a magnetic effect, or electrostatic. Do you know if Saturn has a strong magnetosphere?
25 Sep 13
Originally posted by sonhouseYes, I know, but if even a scientist such as yourself first thinks 'intelligent design' when he sees something unusual in nature, its no wonder less educated folks take the argument seriously. I am not saying you are wrong to joke about it though, simply thought it was worth commenting on.
That was supposed to be a joke🙂
Still, don't know how magnetics would make for hex shapes.
I am going with a standing wave from a single source. The winds are rotating furiously around the pole, if there is something deflecting them away, it may create a wave.
My guess is the tips of each hex is an area where a huge hurricane sits, kind of permanent. It might be that 200 years ago this feature didn't exist and 200 years from now it will also be gone.
But what keeps six hurricanes stable for 400 years? Similar as yet unknown dynamics to Jupiters red spot?
25 Sep 13
Originally posted by twhiteheadThe red spot is another mystery, they think it is some kind of 'tornado' more or less permanently in place but with MUCH deeper roots than the run of the mill stuff floating around there. We would have to know a lot more about the innards of Saturn to make an educated guess about that hex pattern, like upwelling of hot stuff from the interior and such.
Yes, I know, but if even a scientist such as yourself first thinks 'intelligent design' when he sees something unusual in nature, its no wonder less educated folks take the argument seriously. I am not saying you are wrong to joke about it though, simply thought it was worth commenting on.
[b]Still, don't know how magnetics would make for hex shapes.[ ...[text shortened]... keeps six hurricanes stable for 400 years? Similar as yet unknown dynamics to Jupiters red spot?
27 Sep 13
Originally posted by twhiteheadcould be, and NASA will admit that they have no idea how this hexagon was formed. apparently, this is the first time they have seen something like this in the cosmos/solar system.
Its probably a result of the underlying terrain.
it is very much unique, and cool to watch 🙂
28 Sep 13
Originally posted by twhiteheadI was joking about the aliens.
Why so many 'alien' suggestions? Is the intelligent design argument just so hard to resist? Hexagons are found all the time in nature, there is no reason to think this one is not entirely natural.
Do you have any references regarding the depth of Saturn's atmosphere ie the actual height of those clouds?
I am now leaning towards a magnetic effect, or electrostatic. Do you know if Saturn has a strong magnetosphere?
Giant bees maybe ...............
30 Sep 13
Originally posted by googlefudgehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fudge
Hexagonal patterns like that arise naturally in rotating systems.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2013/09/17/saturn_photos_hexagonal_weather_and_a_ring_light_surge.html
You guys should read bad astronomy more.
That was the top result.