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Hydrocarbon Rain Swells Titan's Lakes

Posted by kdawson on from the singin'-in-the-methane dept.

Rob Carr writes "According to the Cassini team, 'Recent images of Titan from NASA's Cassini spacecraft affirm the presence of lakes of liquid hydrocarbons by capturing changes in the lakes brought on by rainfall.' The northern lakes are now larger following a period in which hydrocarbon clouds covered their skies. (The research was published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.) This change adds to the evidence these areas are indeed hydrocarbon lakes. But this discovery raises several more questions: where is the methane in the atmosphere coming from, and how long can this complex hydrocarbon cycle on Titan go on? The new evidence emphasizes the need for another mission to Titan."

19 of 110 comments (clear)

  1. inb4... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    inb4 people suggesting that we transport hydrocarbons from Titan to use as fuels on earth.

    1. Re:inb4... by MrNaz · · Score: 2, Funny

      I think the real issue is Republicans suggesting that we need to send in the armed forces to liberate the oppressed Titanians from their evil terrorism-supporting dictator.

      --
      I hate printers.
    2. Re:inb4... by davester666 · · Score: 1, Funny

      > I think the real issue is Republicans suggesting that we need to send in the armed forces to liberate the oppressed Titanians from their evil terrorism-supporting dictator.

      Don't forget, this liberation will wind up costing the US nothing, because the Titanians will pay the costs back for liberating them, from the sale of hydrocarbon's to Earth.

      --
      Sleep your way to a whiter smile...date a dentist!
  2. Another "planet" with resources... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...to wage war over. It'll happen.

  3. Now all we need... by MichaelSmith · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...is fossil oxygen in liquid form reachable by drilling.

    --
    http://michaelsmith.id.au
  4. They've got WMDs! by pianoben · · Score: 1, Funny

    ...they've got to be around there somewhere, I just know it! Send in the troops!

  5. Obvious source of the methane... by jimbudncl · · Score: 5, Funny

    Uranus.

    1. Re:Obvious source of the methane... by CarpetShark · · Score: 2, Funny

      Obvious source of the methane...
      Uranus

      No, Uranus.

    2. Re:Obvious source of the methane... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Don't you mean Urrectum?

  6. HOORAY by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    lets bring it back to earth and burn it!

    1. Re:HOORAY by 278MorkandMindy · · Score: 2, Funny

      That would be cool, titan on fire in orbit, never have a night!
      That IS what you were talking about???

  7. Dinosaurs? by vvaduva · · Score: 1, Funny

    The more important question really is: What killed the dinosaurs on Titan?

  8. Re:bad modding by Slur · · Score: 4, Funny

    It will probably be the element that enables FTL.

    Imagination?

    --
    -- thinkyhead software and media
  9. Space Oil Tanker... by meson2439 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Methane in Titan will be the start for a new age of space exploration. Since alternative energy still sucks, we might just siphon all of Titan methane to earth. Titan is just a few planet further from earth.

    The future oil tanker might not look like death star but the size should be comparable. It will need to carry a lot of oil due to the infrequent trip (Since lightspeed travel is impossible).

    1. Re:Space Oil Tanker... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Considering that we currently have problems getting back to the Moon, I am not expecting any Shell executives making their rounds with a flag any time soon.

      Lastly, I still remember the protests over Casini. Apparently people had problems with using uranium in space. God forbid the radiation were to leak out. Think about all the space-deer.

  10. Re:New NASA Exploration Policy: by Sebilrazen · · Score: 2, Funny

    NASA press release headlines- NASA Excepts New Mission: Drill Baby Drill!

    Actually, since they're easily accessible in the form of lakes on the surface wouldn't it be easier to Suck baby, suck?

    --
    "There are no facts, only interpretations." --Friedrich Nietzsche.
  11. Re:Wouldn't it be crazy... by NeverVotedBush · · Score: 4, Funny

    At least we would never have to worry about being invaded. A flamethrower would be the ultimate weapon against them in our atmosphere.

  12. Re:Wouldn't it be crazy... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Maybe they have cars which run on water?

  13. Re:Wouldn't it be crazy... by TapeCutter · · Score: 2, Funny

    "burning is probably how they reproduce"

    So you're saying Titan porn is hot?

    --
    And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.