Saturn Rings But No Spokes

An anonymous reader writes "Scientists continue to ponder why images of Saturn's rings today lack the 'spokes' or dark radial bands radiating outward and first observed on the Voyager flyby. The Boulder-based Cassini Image Team describes 5 visible moons, plans for the descent probe going into the Titan moon's hydrocarbon-rich atmosphere and the expected orbital entry around Saturn less than 4 months from now."

Comments

Well, duh, haven't you read Niven?

[Mukaikubo]

Obviously the Fithp has already left Saturn and is headed to Earth.

Time to start studying those old Orion plans...

Re:This is simple

[vsync64]

Taken together, it's entirely possible that Galileo would soon become uncontrollable and crash somewhere like Eurpoa, where we may one day send probes to search for life. Because Galileo was not sterilized before launch, it would contaminate wherever it ended up, and could cast doubt of any future test results from expeditions there.

ALL THESE WORLDS ARE YOURS, EXCEPT EUROPA. ATTEMPT NO LANDINGS THERE.

Re:Magnetic field not coherent?

[Waffle Iron]

So if the spokes aren't visible now, maybe Saturn's magnetic field is fluctuating/less coherent than normal.

The Saturnians have taken notice that this vessel is on a trajectory to permanently enter their planetary system, with the apparent further intention of penetrating one of their moons. They have therefore diverted the entire force of the giant planet's magnetic field into charging the energy banks of their weapons systems. If the spacecraft does not alter its course soon, they will no recourse but to unleash a devestating counterattack on the inner planet that initiated hostilities.

Huh?

[Anonymous Coward]

Saturn rang? And no one spoke with it? Geez, maybe it woulda told us everything.

maybe the spokes were a gravity thing?

[tjstork]

Maybe a decent sized object passed through the rings, disturbed them and left.

Either that or some stoned punk aliens were waving their hands in front of the Voyager cameras just to screw with us.

There be hydrocarbons in them thar moons!

[immel]

In light of the recent discovery of hydrocarbons on Titan, U.S. president George Bush said the following:

{squints}"We will take immediate {pauses} military action to protect US interests in Titan. We will then make sure that the titanics [people of titan] have democratic elections as soon as possible.

Re:Spokes?

[yiantsbro]

I for one welcome our new Cassini Imaging Team overlords...

Yes, but...

[Guppy06]

When will Cassini photograph the monolith on Iapetus.

This is obvious

[Anonymous Coward]

The people who faked the images from the Voyager group are not the same people faking the pictures now. Probably all went out with the budget cuts in the early 90's.

"dammit, we forgot the spokes. Quick, get that guy that colours the martian sky blue to add some in to the new pictures".

Re:Spokes?

[Hao Wu]

I am the leader of the Cassini Imaging Team,

Perhaps, or you may be an Anonymous Coward claiming to be Carolyn Porco. (Also I may not be Hao Wu, but a crafty imposter with phoney email connection....)

Well, it *was* from *Voyager*...

[Anonymous Coward]

Why are there spokes in the Voyager images but not from Cassini? Because Janeway was a nutcase and mismanaged just about every aspect of her mission!

Anyone who trusts Voyager's telemetry with her in command over even the comparatively primitive computer and sensors Cassini uses is an idiot!

Re:Spokes?

[Anonymous Coward]

So I guess you would be the spokesperson.