This is very cool. Astronomers have released new information that they believe shows the existence of an “ice volcano” on Saturn’s moon Titan.
Sotra is more than 3,000 feet tall and once spewed molten ice from deep beneath the moon’s surface. That’s right, there is a thing called “molten ice.” The term has been used for ice on earth. However, ice is a bit different on other planets.
Ice volcano’s are technically called cryovolcanos — the scientific term for an ice volcano. This is not the first such cryovolcano found by scientists. Often these amazing volcanos emit water mixed with ammonia that melts at -95°C. This creates a liquid that can flow — molten ice. I love this stuff . . .
Below is a great NASA video on the ice volcano:
Source: NASA
Jonathan Turley
Morning Mike S. hope all is well in sunny but freezing South Florida. We are warming up today in N.Fla. but set a new record low of 22 degrees yesterday with the windchill in the teens.
I’m on the bogus 2010 hottest in 150 years of record keeping, I mean Hottest on Record thread.
Thanks James, I will do so.
Where is our resident weather agitator?
Mike S.,
I don’t know what chance there is of you reading this, since I’m two days late, but if you like Iain M. Banks, check out Pandora’s Star by Peter F. Hamilton.
Rafflaw said:
“According to the Teapublicans who don’t believe in science, this is a volcano that spews ice cream.”
That’s probably a part of their pitch – ‘an ice volcano in every backyard…’
Mike,
No, but it goes on the ever expanding list of “books to check out.”
I’m burning through 3-4 books a week right now (it’s amazing how much you get done when you only watch 2-3 hours of T.V. a week), and am still running the Red Queen’s race.
Mike S.,
I don’t know if I have said it already, but welcome back.
Gyges,
I’ll check it out. As a return SF tip have you read any of Iaian M. Bank’s stuff? It’s been a recent revelation.
Mike,
I’ve already recommended this to Buddha, but I think it was during your absence. You’d love Jay Lake’s “Death of a Starship.”
I’d recommend most Lake, even the Steampunk (if you like Steampunk), that one in particular is a great tribute to classic sci-fi. I do have to warn you though, the guy doesn’t pull ANY punches.
Wayne,
Vonnegut’s book was called “The Sirens of Titan” and in my opinion was the best thing he ever wrote. However, Titan itself was a mere backdrop for the chief plotting of the book. As for the interest in this article many in the scientific community have felt that we have the best chance of finding some kind of life form on Titan.
Didn’t Kurt Vonnegut write about this already, about 50 years ago?
If it’s not in the Bible, it can’t possibly be true ! In fact, Titan probably doesn’t exist.
Nnnnnn-ice.
“Very cool”, as you say — icy, as a matter of fact.
“Molten ice.” Who would’ve thought…
Great stuff indeed: if there’s water, life can’t be far behind.
According to the Teapublicans who don’t believe in science, this is a volcano that spews ice cream.