Hints of Life Found On Saturn's Moon Titan 227
Calopteryx writes "New Scientist reports that in 2005, researchers predicted two potential signatures of life on Titan. Now, thanks to research done with the help of the Cassini spacecraft, both have been seen, although non-biological chemical reactions could also be behind the observations. NASA's writeup has further details: 'One key finding comes from a paper online now in the journal Icarus [abstract] that shows hydrogen molecules flowing down through Titan's atmosphere and disappearing at the surface. Another paper online now in the Journal of Geophysical Research maps hydrocarbons on the Titan surface and finds a lack of acetylene. This lack of acetylene is important because that chemical would likely be the best energy source for a methane-based life on Titan, said Chris McKay, an astrobiologist at NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., who proposed a set of conditions necessary for this kind of methane-based life on Titan in 2005. One interpretation of the acetylene data is that the hydrocarbon is being consumed as food. But McKay said the flow of hydrogen is even more critical because all of their proposed mechanisms involved the consumption of hydrogen.'"
Looks like I WIN! (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Looks like I WIN! (Score:5, Funny)
When I was in Jr. High, my science class had an assignment where we had to make-up a life form, based on the planet chosen's conditions and mine was Saturn. Of course my design was completely ridiculous, but the idea was pretty much close to what they're saying about Hydrogen consumption. This is pretty cool...I *heart* Saturn. "Pro'lly 'cuz it gots money with all them rings it has!" lol =P
So what grade did you get on that project last year?
Methane-based Overlords (Score:4, Funny)
Re:I smell a movie... (Score:2, Funny)
.
Re:Oh crap (Score:1, Funny)
Swing and a miss...
Re:Oh jeez (Score:2, Funny)
Well I don't know about you, but I probably wouldn't like being locked up and forced to have sex with some ugly fat chick..
Re:I wonder if Huygens contaminated things. (Score:3, Funny)
Unless we've unwittingly invented terraforming? :p
Re:Oh jeez (Score:2, Funny)
The rest of the animal kingdom kills when it's hungry and eats what it kills
You've never owned a cat, have you?
Re:I wonder if Huygens contaminated things. (Score:3, Funny)
Easy, drifting anything into the void contaminates the void.
Re:I wonder if Huygens contaminated things. (Score:1, Funny)
Your socks are right by the laundry hamper where you left them. And, we're having spaghetti for dinner tonight. When you come to dinner please bring any dirty dishes and empty sodas from the basement up with you. Also, I'm going to wash a load of laundry tonight, so if you want something clean to wear to bed, don't forget to put your Ewok pajamas in the hamper.
Love,
Mom