Yesterday, I went way out to the outer fringes of our solar system and talked about Makemake. I only got two comments. Maybe I went out too far, so today I will go in. . . in toward the sun. I am just going to talk about that burned cinder they call Mercury. Actually, I am going to talk about water ice on Mercury. Surprised that there is ice on a small planet that is so close to the sun? I was, since this planet can reach temperatures of over 800 degrees Fahrenheit and it does rotate on its axis so it would be baked on all sides. It is, but since its rotational axis tilts only about one degree, the poles (especially the craters near the poles) do not get heated. In fact, they contain frozen water (ice) that probably does not melt.
OK, how did it get there? I assume that it came from the bombardments of comets and wet meteors. The universe's most abundant thing is hydrogen and since there is also a lot of oxygen around, sooner or later they are going to get together and give birth to water. Water then gave birth to life as we know it, with a divine guidance. Now you have a good day and try not to get too mad if this life giving water rains on your parade, you hear?
I guess that's what they mean when they call H2O, "living water". Have you seen Professor Quibb's blog?
ReplyDeleteSry DD, but my eyes glaze over when you talk about that stuff.
ReplyDeleteJimkabob, no I haven't seen that blog but will google it right a way,
ReplyDeleteTrouble, that is OK, at least you leave comments and I appreciate knowing that I at least read if not enjoyed.
I read about MakeMake... and I love to look at the stars and try to figure out the constellations... BUT... it's my husband who had Clyde Tombaugh (discovered Pluto) for his prof in astronomy class in college... I should have Bill (husband) read your MakeMake and he'd definitely appreciate it. Me... I just get stars have my eyes ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe Odd Essay, wow, Tombaugh would have been a very famous teacher to have. I showed some of telescopes in old blogs. I just love my big one with a 16" diameter mirror. I bet your Hubby could teach me a few things.
ReplyDeleteJust think, there probably is a temperate zone that would be habitable. Awesome spot for a solar observatory.
ReplyDeleteSpud, the reason there is ice there is that the sun doesn't hit that spot, so you can't see the sun from there. But, if I were going to visit Mercury, that is where I would want visit, for sure.
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