Search found 7 matches
- Wed Nov 22, 2017 7:34 pm
- Forum: The Bridge: Discuss an Astronomy Picture of the Day
- Topic: APOD: 'Oumuamua: Interstellar Asteroid (2017 Nov 22)
- Replies: 38
- Views: 16252
Re: APOD: 'Oumuamua: Interstellar Asteroid (2017 Nov 22)
My understanding, from the various articles I've read about this object so far, is that the only arguments supporting this being a natural 'asteroid' are: 1) it's trajectory can be defined solely by it's initial velocity and direction of motion, as influenced by the gravity of our sun during its clo...
- Wed Nov 22, 2017 5:36 am
- Forum: The Bridge: Discuss an Astronomy Picture of the Day
- Topic: APOD: 'Oumuamua: Interstellar Asteroid (2017 Nov 22)
- Replies: 38
- Views: 16252
Re: APOD: 'Oumuamua: Interstellar Asteroid (2017 Nov 22)
Oumuamua is far smaller than Rama, however... it is much closer in size to a Klingon vessel, or at least the wreckage of one - with its engines blasted off, leaving it with the quasi-cigar shape that this alleged asteroid apparently has :~)
- Tue Sep 15, 2015 6:28 am
- Forum: The Bridge: Discuss an Astronomy Picture of the Day
- Topic: APOD: Pluto from above Cthulhu Regio (2015 Sep 14)
- Replies: 27
- Views: 5498
Re: APOD: Pluto from above Cthulhu Regio (2015 Sep 14)
I've been pondering the origins of the vast ice sheet known as Sputnik Planum... My first inclination is to assume it forms much like the polar caps and glaciers of Earth, due to precipitation from the atmosphere. I've read that it's mostly frozen nitrogen, and Pluto's atmosphere is mostly nitrogen....
- Mon Jul 13, 2015 5:01 am
- Forum: The Bridge: Discuss an Astronomy Picture of the Day
- Topic: APOD: Last Look at Pluto's Charon Side (2015 Jul 13)
- Replies: 32
- Views: 6927
Re: APOD: Last Look at Pluto's Charon Side (2015 Jul 13)
So far, the images of Pluto remind me somewhat of Triton ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triton_(moon) ) ... maybe some 'canteloupe terrain' nearer the north pole? And then nearer it's equator, it reminds me more of Titan. The dark regions sure look like they could be rivers and lakes or at least th...
- Sat May 09, 2015 4:45 am
- Forum: The Bridge: Discuss an Astronomy Picture of the Day
- Topic: APOD: Trio Leo (2015 May 09)
- Replies: 7
- Views: 2440
Re: APOD: Trio Leo (2015 May 09)
Is that a linear dust lane crossing almost all of M66, above the nucleus? Almost looks like another spiral approaching edge-on from behind it!
- Thu Feb 19, 2015 4:39 am
- Forum: Starship Asterisk: Handbook
- Topic: What do you think the bright spots on Ceres are?
- Replies: 45
- Views: 274920
Re: What do you think the bright spots on Ceres are?
I suspect they may have more than one cause... recent impacts exposing fresh icy material from beneath a dusty surface is a likely cause for at least some of the bright spots. Others seem SO bright, it makes me suspect frost-covered areas around vents / geysers / ice volcanoes... and of course evide...
- Wed Dec 24, 2014 5:50 am
- Forum: The Bridge: Discuss an Astronomy Picture of the Day
- Topic: APOD: The Cliffs of Comet CG (2014 Dec 23)
- Replies: 70
- Views: 81158
Re: APOD: The Cliffs of Comet CG (2014 Dec 23)
Why cliffs on a comet? I looked through the links (today) but did not see mention of why this comet has such an unusual shape? I believe, from before, there was discussion that it may be the joining of two comets but thoughts on comet-shaping would be welcome. They are impressive cliffs. What strik...