Saturn's strange polar regions

by Willy Jul 25, 2007 3:07PM PDT

Everyone knows about Saturn's rings, a beautiful thing it is, but now the polar areas. It seems Staurn has a constant hurricane in the southern pole and a strange 6-sided region on the northern pole. Found only after fly-bys and study by space probes. Here's the link:

http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/images/image-details.cfm?imageID=2552

I saw some of this on the history ch. or a show called "the universe", I like space stuff, so it intrigued me. How may twinkles can be packed for a long space mission? At least they'll not spoil(ever wonder about that). -----Willy

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The hexagonal feature:

by drpruner. Jul 25, 2007 3:38PM PDT

"Multiple images acquired over a 12-day period between Oct. 30 and Nov. 11, 2006, show that the feature is nearly stationary, and likely is an unusually strong pole-encircling planetary wave that extends deep into the atmosphere."

In fact, it reminds me of various standing waves I've seen over the years, in different materials. Strong magnetic fields can do this.

Your link goes only to the hex feature (N pole). NASA has good pics of any kind, just slow on dialup.

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Saturn's easter eggs

by Willy Jul 26, 2007 1:17AM PDT

If you've google for more pics or Saturn I'm sure you'll be rewarded. I just wanted to show at least the northern pole as this was an interesting item. While i believe gravity or magnetic fields are in effect here, it really seemed odd or rather huge(2 earth's widths) as it were and Saturn is suppose to be a gas giant and low on density. Further, it seems that Enceladus is phewing out enough material that it is the reason for E-ring, the outer most ring that Saturn captures. That alone is suppose to be a cause for plasma to distort any radio measuring of Saturn's true rotational measurements. The moons alone are so interesting in themselves they maybe more reason to visit Saturn again. In other words Saturn is a very interesting place. -----Willy

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Interesting?

by drpruner. Jul 26, 2007 3:23PM PDT

Well, yeah, if you like science fiction that happens to be real.

I'll have to spend some time on campus on high-speed and save some images for leisurely viewing at home.

If my guess was on track then I think the gas giant form and magnetism would account for it. I've been trying to remember just where I last saw something like that. I think it was some scientist playing around with a liquid under strong magnetism. Liquid behavior is similar to gases in many cases. (Both are "fluids")
And the hexagon is one of those natural forms often found in nature, like the honeycomb cell that's the most efficient use of space and bee effort etc.

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(NT) thats an excellent show

by jimandjerry Jul 25, 2007 9:54PM PDT

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As if we didn't have enough on our hands.

by drpruner. Jul 27, 2007 6:32AM PDT

"A tiny new moon has been discovered around Saturn, bringing the ringed planet's total to 60.
The moon is just 2 kilometres across and has been nicknamed "Frank" by scientists at Queen Mary University London, UK, who first noticed the moon in images from the Cassini spacecraft ..."

http://www.newscientist.com/blog/space/2007/07/new-moon-named-frank.html?DCMP=NLC-nletter&nsref=blogspace

"... The moon will eventually receive a proper name from the International Astronomical Union (IAU). Methone and Pallene are named after daughters of Alkyonides, a character from Greek mythology who was killed by Heracles. It seems likely that the new moon will get named after one of the other daughters, who are Alkippe, Anthe, Asteria, Drimo and Phthonia.
Asteria is nice, and Drimo has character. I wouldn't recommend Phthonia, which is a bit of a tongue twister, at least for English speakers. What do you like?
David Shiga, online reporter"

Saturn's strange polar regions

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