Pages

20110311

Moons of Another Mother

I know I've expressed my love of Moons before - many times - but gosh darn they're fascinating. In many ways, the moons of our solar system are far more interesting than the planets. More to choose from, for starters! Jupiter and Saturn are the Big Momma's when it comes to moons in our sector,  as they have so many, and each is different than the next.

And I know I've waxed poetic about my favorite spacecraft of all - Cassini. Currently in orbit around Saturn, snapping sweet shots left and right. Like the one above - an actual photo, not a shop. Can you believe it! It's so beautiful - the rings of Saturn, with Dione and Rhea above. Here's another pic of the same two moons, not as dramatic though:
 Incredible, yes? And the wonders don't stop. Here's Mimas (I one day hope to drink a mimosa around Mimas), or, The Death Star Moon:
 It is a Moon! Here's Mimas framed against the rings (Wallpaper size):
 And finally, as I've mentioned before, my favorite moon, Titan. The label for this photo says that's Tethys behind it, but it sure does look like Mimas to me. You can decide for yourself:
Another piece of held wisdom: Earth is the water planet. Not true at all. In comparison not only to the big planets past Mars, but also to many of their Moons (like Enceladus), the Earth is a mostly dry rock. The only reason it appears so wet is water can exist on the surface in liquid form, whereas out there, it's in ice at the surface, and most likely liquid deep below. Point being, all the water we could ever need, all the minerals and materials we could ever need, is out there, waiting. Will we get to it?


The Obelisk can get bent, if that's your answer, by the way.

2 comments:

l.e.s.ter said...

Wait, is that a 2001 reference?

Redshirt said...

It was an attempted one, but I realize I blew it, as the reference in the movie/book is to Europa, not Titan. That's a Jovian moon!

Egg on my face, o boy!