Why is polar cloud mysterious? (APOD 03 Apr 2007)
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:31 am
What is mysterious about the hexagonal-like cloud flow lines? Isn't it simply a sinusoidal wave along the flow caused by shear.
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Why is polar cloud mysterious? (APOD 03 Apr 2007)
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 7:06 am
hexagons. sinusoidal waves. I don't see the connection! :S can you elaborate?
A Mysterious Hexagonal Cloud System on Saturn
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 8:58 am
The picture of today - Cloud on Saturn - reminds me KAM (Kolmogorov-Arnold-Moser) torus, As a Mathematical Model for explaination. See http://www.ecometry.biz , Ben Tamari .
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 1:36 pm
and we have just moved that thread 
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 5:00 pm
There have been experiments with liquids in rotating containers that create standing geometric waves at various rotational speeds. Essentially, the rate of rotation matches the rate of sloshing of the liquid. Things like this are always considered mysterious until they have a working model of how it works. A similar effect is no doubt at play, but this case is a lot different than those experiments because:
1.) The hexagon is on the order of a million times bigger
2.) It formed in a gas instead of a liquid
3.) There is no hard boundary structure on Saturn, like a plastic bucket in the experiments.
4.) The match between the rotational speed and the speed of wave propogation appears coincidental rather than controlled (although perhaps this is a quasi-stable effect possible at specific radius given a set density and rotational speed).
5.) It can't be studied under in an easily controlled laboratory environment.
Incidentally, I did some further reading and found that geometric shapes are occasionally observed in the eye of a hurricane, which is normally circular or elliptical in shape. However, while hurricanes last for a week or so and form in the tropics on earth, this structure on Saturn was discovered over 20 years ago and is at the pole.
1.) The hexagon is on the order of a million times bigger
2.) It formed in a gas instead of a liquid
3.) There is no hard boundary structure on Saturn, like a plastic bucket in the experiments.
4.) The match between the rotational speed and the speed of wave propogation appears coincidental rather than controlled (although perhaps this is a quasi-stable effect possible at specific radius given a set density and rotational speed).
5.) It can't be studied under in an easily controlled laboratory environment.
Incidentally, I did some further reading and found that geometric shapes are occasionally observed in the eye of a hurricane, which is normally circular or elliptical in shape. However, while hurricanes last for a week or so and form in the tropics on earth, this structure on Saturn was discovered over 20 years ago and is at the pole.
Idea
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 10:10 am
I think it is the head of a giant hexagonal bolt. 
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 1:57 pm
Would that make the vortex at the other end, the opening in the center of the nut? 
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 6:03 pm
Here we go.BMAONE23 wrote:Would that make the vortex at the other end, the opening in the center of the nut?
The ring system is actually a giant washer to go with the nut and bolt then...
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 10:46 pm
I wonder what would happen if we found a giant wrench and twisted it off . . . What would be inside?
Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 7:43 am
Easy, a load more 'moon sized' smaller Easter eggsrigelan wrote:I wonder what would happen if we found a giant wrench and twisted it off . . . What would be inside?
I reckon Io is probably orange flavoured.
This is waaaayyy off topic!
I'll get my coat...
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 7:59 am
The new Saturn from IKEA.