Hydrocarbon Rain Swells Titan's Lakes 110
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."
inb4... (Score:4, Funny)
inb4 people suggesting that we transport hydrocarbons from Titan to use as fuels on earth.
Another "planet" with resources... (Score:4, Funny)
...to wage war over. It'll happen.
Now all we need... (Score:5, Funny)
They've got WMDs! (Score:1, Funny)
Obvious source of the methane... (Score:5, Funny)
HOORAY (Score:1, Funny)
lets bring it back to earth and burn it!
Re:Obvious source of the methane... (Score:3, Funny)
No, Uranus.
Dinosaurs? (Score:1, Funny)
The more important question really is: What killed the dinosaurs on Titan?
Re:bad modding (Score:5, Funny)
It will probably be the element that enables FTL.
Imagination?
Re:Obvious source of the methane... (Score:1, Funny)
Don't you mean Urrectum?
Re:inb4... (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.
Re:HOORAY (Score:2, Funny)
That would be cool, titan on fire in orbit, never have a night!
That IS what you were talking about???
Space Oil Tanker... (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).
Re:inb4... (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.
Re:New NASA Exploration Policy: (Score:3, 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?
Re:Wouldn't it be crazy... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Wouldn't it be crazy... (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Wouldn't it be crazy... (Score:3, Funny)
So you're saying Titan porn is hot?
Re:Space Oil Tanker... (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.