Comments on: A Year of Cassini http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/ I am an astronomer, writer, and skeptic. I likes reality the way it is, and I aims to keep it that way. My real name is Phil Plait, and I run the Bad Astronomy blog. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:14:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Annie Morris http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/comment-page-1/#comment-144834 Annie Morris Fri, 02 Jan 2009 10:42:09 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/#comment-144834 What a totally mind-blowing picture. Another keeper! Thank you for posting it. Stunning. What a totally mind-blowing picture. Another keeper!

Thank you for posting it.

Stunning.

]]> By: Scott Smith http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/comment-page-1/#comment-144699 Scott Smith Thu, 01 Jan 2009 21:56:29 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/#comment-144699 I was being silly. The whole modern definition is so vague in areas it makes me wonder if anything could be a planet. And what about exo-planets? Yes I know that they are super Jupiters, but could it be they haven't cleared their orbits of junk? Again, I'm being silly mostly because I won't demote Pluto. ;-) I was being silly. The whole modern definition is so vague in areas it makes me wonder if anything could be a planet. And what about exo-planets? Yes I know that they are super Jupiters, but could it be they haven’t cleared their orbits of junk? Again, I’m being silly mostly because I won’t demote Pluto. ;-)

]]> By: MaDeR http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/comment-page-1/#comment-144624 MaDeR Thu, 01 Jan 2009 14:45:26 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/#comment-144624 "Does Saturn qualify as a planet since it hasn’t cleared its local area of debris as evidenced by the rings?" Yes, it qualifies. 1. "Clearning the orbit" does not means destroying every little speck of dust in solar system. "Pluto is planet" trolls often insinuate this, if not blatantly claims this. Liars. Well, they are trolls, what you expected? 2. Other, surviving bodies in patch on Saturn orbit are gravitationally controlled by Saturn. This is same reason that Jupiter Trojans will not unplanet Jupiter. Trojans, Saturn rings would not exists without parent bodies like Jupiter or Saturn. “Does Saturn qualify as a planet since it hasn’t cleared its local area of debris as evidenced by the rings?”
Yes, it qualifies.
1. “Clearning the orbit” does not means destroying every little speck of dust in solar system. “Pluto is planet” trolls often insinuate this, if not blatantly claims this. Liars. Well, they are trolls, what you expected?
2. Other, surviving bodies in patch on Saturn orbit are gravitationally controlled by Saturn. This is same reason that Jupiter Trojans will not unplanet Jupiter. Trojans, Saturn rings would not exists without parent bodies like Jupiter or Saturn.

]]> By: Scott Smith http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/comment-page-1/#comment-144556 Scott Smith Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:40:11 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/#comment-144556 Does Saturn qualify as a planet since it hasn't cleared its local area of debris as evidenced by the rings? Such a shame, and such a beautiful celestial body to look at. too bad it isn't a bit closer. Happy New Year every one! Scott Does Saturn qualify as a planet since it hasn’t cleared its local area of debris as evidenced by the rings? Such a shame, and such a beautiful celestial body to look at. too bad it isn’t a bit closer.

Happy New Year every one!

Scott

]]> By: sdrDusty http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/comment-page-1/#comment-144416 sdrDusty Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:12:11 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/#comment-144416 Dr. Porco is amazing. Can't help but note: from the CICLOPS page-- only woman on the Cassini Imaging Science Team. Dr. Porco is amazing. Can’t help but note: from the CICLOPS page– only woman on the Cassini Imaging Science Team.

]]> By: Laguna http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/comment-page-1/#comment-144410 Laguna Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:43:05 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/#comment-144410 Everybody, have a happy new year! Everybody, have a happy new year!

]]> By: PsyberDave http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/comment-page-1/#comment-144407 PsyberDave Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:35:30 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/#comment-144407 It's the new year somewhere on the globe right now. Happy New Year to those of you just west of the date line! It’s the new year somewhere on the globe right now. Happy New Year to those of you just west of the date line!

]]> By: Larian LeQuella http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/comment-page-1/#comment-144402 Larian LeQuella Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:26:05 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/#comment-144402 Happy flipping of the page that marks the start of the International Year of Astronomy! Happy flipping of the page that marks the start of the International Year of Astronomy!

]]> By: IVAN3MAN http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/comment-page-1/#comment-144398 IVAN3MAN Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:05:50 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/#comment-144398 @ Todd W., At the dictionary web-site that I had referenced and provided a link to, it does state at the bottom that the word "Enceladus" comes from the Greek <i>Enkelados</i>. @ Todd W.,

At the dictionary web-site that I had referenced and provided a link to, it does state at the bottom that the word “Enceladus” comes from the Greek Enkelados.

]]> By: Case http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/comment-page-1/#comment-144395 Case Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:00:21 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/#comment-144395 Awesome pics! Thanks for the reference Phil. By the way, one of the best Science Top 10 lists I've found this year is at a blog called Valence. Here's the url if anyone interested in checking it out: http://valenced.wordpress.com/ Awesome pics! Thanks for the reference Phil. By the way, one of the best Science Top 10 lists I’ve found this year is at a blog called Valence. Here’s the url if anyone interested in checking it out: http://valenced.wordpress.com/

]]> By: Bill Nettles http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/comment-page-1/#comment-144393 Bill Nettles Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:46:52 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/#comment-144393 Since everything is related to global warming these days, it must be pronounced "insulate us." Since everything is related to global warming these days, it must be pronounced “insulate us.”

]]> By: Michael L http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/comment-page-1/#comment-144389 Michael L Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:37:31 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/#comment-144389 Happy New Year, Phil. May 2009 bring many new disccoveries! Happy New Year, Phil. May 2009 bring many new disccoveries!

]]> By: Michael L http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/comment-page-1/#comment-144388 Michael L Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:36:15 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/#comment-144388 Enchiladas Enchiladas

]]> By: Todd W. http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/comment-page-1/#comment-144385 Todd W. Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:18:30 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/#comment-144385 @IVAN3MAN Though, if it is a Greek word, shouldn't it properly be pronounced [en-KEL-uh-duhs]? @IVAN3MAN

Though, if it is a Greek word, shouldn’t it properly be pronounced [en-KEL-uh-duhs]?

]]> By: IVAN3MAN http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/comment-page-1/#comment-144384 IVAN3MAN Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:13:17 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/#comment-144384 Gnat: "So, how does one pronounce 'Enceladus'?" <p><b><u>Dictionary.com</u>:</b></p> <p><font size="+1" color="black"><b>Enceladus</b></font> [en-<b>sel</b>-<i>uh</i>-d<i>uh</i>s] -- <b>noun</b><br/> <b>1.</b> <i>Classical Mythology.</i> A giant with a hundred arms buried under Mount Etna, in Sicily.<br/> <b>2.</b> <i>Astronomy.</i> A natural satellite of the planet Saturn.</p> <p>(Click on my name for the link to the web-site, and there press the "HEAR" button.)</p> Gnat: “So, how does one pronounce ‘Enceladus’?”

Dictionary.com:

Enceladus [en-sel-uh-duhs] — noun
1. Classical Mythology. A giant with a hundred arms buried under Mount Etna, in Sicily.
2. Astronomy. A natural satellite of the planet Saturn.

(Click on my name for the link to the web-site, and there press the “HEAR” button.)

]]> By: Todd W. http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/comment-page-1/#comment-144378 Todd W. Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:37:54 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/#comment-144378 Pronounced "salads" in English, "sarada" in Japanese...oh, wait... :) Pronounced “salads” in English, “sarada” in Japanese…oh, wait… :)

]]> By: kuhnigget http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/comment-page-1/#comment-144375 kuhnigget Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:24:31 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/#comment-144375 EN-sell-a-dus would be the East Texas pronunciation. En-sell-AD-us would be the French salad dressing. En-sell-a-DUHS would be the news media pronunciation. And so forth. EN-sell-a-dus would be the East Texas pronunciation.

En-sell-AD-us would be the French salad dressing.

En-sell-a-DUHS would be the news media pronunciation.

And so forth.

]]> By: Gnat http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/comment-page-1/#comment-144373 Gnat Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:19:54 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/#comment-144373 Thanks, BigBob! That's prettier than the way I was saying it! Thanks, BigBob! That’s prettier than the way I was saying it!

]]> By: BigBob http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/comment-page-1/#comment-144371 BigBob Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:14:35 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/#comment-144371 I believe it's en-SELL-a-dus. Bob I believe it’s en-SELL-a-dus.
Bob

]]> By: BigBob http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/comment-page-1/#comment-144369 BigBob Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:12:26 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/#comment-144369 Captain's log; like it. Nobody gets the outreach concept like Carolyn Porco that's for sure. Her enthusiasm is contagious. Happy new year Phil, keep it up. Happy new year everyone. Bob (Big) Captain’s log; like it. Nobody gets the outreach concept like Carolyn Porco that’s for sure. Her enthusiasm is contagious.
Happy new year Phil, keep it up.
Happy new year everyone.
Bob (Big)

]]> By: Gnat http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/comment-page-1/#comment-144367 Gnat Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:08:50 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/31/a-year-of-cassini/#comment-144367 So, how does one pronounce "Enceladus"? So, how does one pronounce “Enceladus”?

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