I was impressed by "SpaceX" and it's recycled space machines. Interesting. Nothing deteriorates in space.
But, when I was looking through old files I ran across a supposed puzzle about the six-sided ocean found by Cassini.
By Brian Resnick
...The probe (click here) finally saw what was at the center of the hexagon: a hurricane very much similar to the Earth’s, but with an eye about 50 times wider than your average storm. It even found a second hurricane-like vortex swirling closer to the edge of the jet stream. Researchers later figured out that Saturn’s distance from the Sun and its atmospheric composition allow jet streams to form in geometric shapes, but the hexagon is still somewhat of a mystery: it’s unclear why the south pole doesn’t have a hexagon either, or what allows the jet stream to last so long....
To begin with there is an organic chemical structure on Earth called a benzene ring; C6H6. Why wouldn't a circulating mass of benzene look like it's innate shape? But, beyond that what NASA needs is a hydrologist specialized in river processes. Everyone knows that when a river of water hits the bank of a river, it turns.
In the case of the hexagon ocean seen by Cassini, the area is lighter in viscosity than the next area at lower latitudes. The flow of the hexagon is easily realized in the color enhanced picture.
The image below shows a gradually rounded edge to the hexagon. Those are inflexions from a denser molecular that surrounds the hexagon ocean. I am sure NASA already knows the chemical composition of the variety of latitudes of composition.
Just as a note to probabilities, C6H6 is a carbon-hydrogen structure. It fits with methane found within the flight of Cassini. The figure above shows a double bonded benzene ring with a resonating second bond. That resonating bond would provide enough molecular energy to translate into movement of a fluid in a void, especially if it was trapped by a more viscous layer of the celestial body.
There are only a limited number of naturally occurring elements in the Milky Way. That may be different with other galaxies, but, with suns similar to Sol, that is not likely. NASA is looking for suns similar to Sol, right? For human life to survive. I don't know if galaxies very different from Sol will provide a strategy for life.
The trite phrase "the 92 naturally-occurring chemical elements" is often seen, but is incorrect. (click here) There are only 88 naturally-occurring chemical elements. The elements 43, 61, 85 and 87 have no stable isotopes, and none of long half-life, so they are not naturally present. Small amounts are made in nuclear reactions induced by cosmic rays and nuclear tests, but these soon disappear. If you protest that these should be included, then so should Np and Pu, which are produced by the absorption of neutrons arising from spontaneous fission of uranium and thorium, and then there would be 94 naturally-occurring elements. If you wait long enough, there will only be 81 naturally-occurring elements, since everything beyond lead has only unstable isotopes, though some are of very long half-life, and have survived since the beginning, fathering their radioactive series. Any way you look at it, there are not just 92 naturally-occurring chemical elements.
Realizing there are a limited number of elements in nature, the idea there can be a large variety of sources of movement spawned by molecular spin is not realistic. As a matter of fact, finding a place for human life can be limited by those factors alone.
Earth is located at a distance from the center of it's universe. That is probably important for Sol's existence and it's habitable zone. Getting too close to the center of the universe will prove far too hostile to any possible habitable zone.
This was fun.
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas.
