Comments on: Saturn’s heat rash

By: Saturn’s polar light show mystifies scientists | Ourker Test

Saturn’s polar light show mystifies scientists | Ourker Test — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 20:31:49 +0000

[...] Saturn’s heat rash Discover Magazine ,November 13, 2008 I always say that (besides Earth) Saturn is the most beautiful planet in the solar system. I may have to revise that opinion. At least in this case. … [...]

By: Saturn’s heat rash | Autos

Saturn’s heat rash | Autos — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 10:51:01 +0000

[...] I always say that (besides Earth) Saturn is the most beautiful planet in the solar system. I may have to revise that opinion. At least in this case. …Read More：http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/11/12/saturns-heat-rash/… [...]

By: Richard Smith

Richard Smith — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:32:07 +0000

Doesn’t really look infected that way; it’s not very triangular. Now, if Saturn reaches for the chicken scissors…

By: mike

mike — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:56:19 +0000

I would suggest that this is due to the hexagonal cyclone – perhaps the interaction of differently composed clouds rotating around the pole causes some sort of magnetic field to propagate?

Sort of like when a magnetic field forms when you stroke two pieces of metal together for long enough? This could explain the strange cyclone lines. A rotating magnetic field independent of the regular planetary magnetosphere? maybe that could create a permanent deflection from what we portray as a normal polar cloud band. It could also explain some of the crazy aurora?

But hey – im talking out of my ass because i dont actually know a whole lot about this stuff.

By: Gary Ansorge

Gary Ansorge — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:06:34 +0000

I expect there’s plenty of intelligent life out there. I also expect there’s very little techno intelligence anywhere. The universe, at 13.7 billion years old, is very young. We’ve barely had enough time for second generation metal rich stars to evolve, let alone for the techno intellects to get a grip. Technology is the only way we know for a species to leave their planetary environment and spread all over the place. If I was a Grand Designer, that’s how I would want it done. One techno sentience per galaxy per eon,,,less chance of a galaxy wide war zone developing,,,
Of course, given humanities penchant for squabbling, we’ll probably do quite nicely warring with ourselves, no matter how far we colonize. Plenty of war stories to keep a Grand Old Designer entertained,,,

Gary 7
PS: Phenomenal Pics. I think Saturn is just one of the coolest planets ever,,,

By: TheWalruss

TheWalruss — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:11:38 +0000

Sad to think humans will (probably) never stand on the surface and look up at this spectacle first-hand. We’re too squishy!

But I guess the clouds would get in the way, too, so I should be happy we get this view.

Perhaps some tentacly creature from the depths of Enceladus can poke its head out from a vent to appreciate the view.

So much awesome stuff to see, and so few people to see it!

Stupid designer – couldn’t he come up with a universe with a denser concentration of intelligent life? Gosh!

By: Palliard

Palliard — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:47:53 +0000

Is it possible that some of the ring material became ionized and was pulled down along different magnetic lines than the solar wind? That could get you concentric rings.