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Jupiter's Great Dark Spot
Edball writes "For more than a century astronomers thought that the Great Red Spot was the biggest thing on Jupiter. Not anymore. Images from NASA's Cassini spacecraft have revealed something at least as large,
The Great Dark Spot."
In related solar system news, pajamacore writes "Space.com reports that the first extrasolar planet to have its atmosphere detected is having its gas envelope boiled off by heat and blown away by tidal forces. At present, the planet is 70% the size of Jupiter but its orbit is closer to its parent star than Mercury's is to our own Sun. It should be a treat to eventually see the planet's core and maybe it'll clue us in a bit to gas giant formation."
Maybe it's just me, but the dark spot in the center of the animation looks very artificial. It's clearly six-sided until the very end of the animation. Maybe the poor astronomer was bored and just wanted to have some material published for a change, you know, have his fifteen minutes of fame. Or it's the aliens. Always the aliens, dammit.
Jupiter's probably very sensitive about it.
They didn't happen to take a close up of it and discover a cloud of spinning blocks, size 1kmx4kmx9km, did they?
Looks like someone forgot to wipe the lense properly
The monoliths are already forming! Now we really need to stay away from Europa.
Note to self: find someone get to work on that Bowman virus post-haste.
You're only as smart as your brain.
The elusive Jovian G-spot. Theory says that the spot must exist, but astronomers have become increasingly frustrated (and think of poor Jupiter!) with their lack of success. Unfortunately, NASA has not the budget to sufficiently explore Jupiter from the inside, where the G-spot undoubtedly lies. Alas, the gas giant has yet to give up its last great secret. Or just give it up.
When will astronomers find Jupiter's G-spot?
(An oldie but goodie...)
New York (AP) - The heaviest element known to science was recently discovered by researchers at the University of Fulchester. The element, tentatively named Administratium, has no protons or electrons and thus has an atomic number of 0. However, it does have 1 neutron, 125 assistant neutrons, 75 vice neutrons and 111 assistant vice neutrons. This gives it an atomic mass of 312. These 312 particles are held together by a force that involves the continuous exchange of meson-like particles called morons. Since it has no electrons, Administratium is inert. However, it can be detected chemically as it impedes every reaction it comes in contact with. According to the discoverers, a minute amount of Administratium caused one reaction to take over four days to complete when it would have normally occurred in less than one second. Administratium has a normal half-life of approximately three years, at which time it does not actually decay but instead undergoes a reorganisation in which assistant neutrons, vice neutrons and assistant vice neutrons exchange places. Some studies have shown that the atomic mass actually increases after each reorganisation. Research at other laboratories indicates that Administratium occurs naturally in the atmosphere. It tends to concentrate at certain points such as government agencies, large corporations and universities and can usually be found in the newest, best appointed and best maintained buildings. Scientists point out that Administratium is known to be toxic at any level of concentration and can easily destroy any productive reaction where it is allowed to accumulate. Attempts are being made to determine how Administratium can be controlled to prevent irreversible damage, but results to date are not promising.
"Learning is not compulsory... neither is survival."
--Dr.W.Edwards Deming
when have astronomers *ever* found a G-spot?
;)
I kid, I kid
I bet that there must be a surface structure under those spots.
Most likely it's a gigantic cloud city run by Billy Dee Williams.
Ergonomica Auctorita Illico!
The food shortage is an easy problem to
solve. Just give lippo-suction to 90 percent
of poor population in the US and use the
result to feed the starving.
I feel sure that something is going to happen.
Something wonderful.
blakespot
-- Heisenberg may have slept here.
iPod Hacks.com
...does Callisto always have to sleep in the Great Wet Spot?
I guess some scientists just develop an obsession with spots during adolesence, it's only natural.
This is just taking it to proportions.
The biggest structure is the great great white non-spot that surrounds the great dark spot.
Geez, write a personal or something...
If people keep pointing it out, it is only a matter of time befor Jupiter starts developing a negative self-image. It is then only a matter of time before Jupiter stomps off sulking and slamming doors, taking it's vast gravitational field with it and leaving us to collect our own space junk.
Modest doubt is called the beacon of the wise. - William Shakespeare
Am I the only one who was afraid to click on the link?
www.christopherlewis.com