by
Dan H.
Member since:
August 9, 2007
Saturn, Not Just A Car Company
November 21, 2007 01:13 AM EST
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comments: 103
You may have learned a little about Saturn in an old science class. What do you remember? I wanted to share a few interesting facts. Saturn is the only planet less dense than water. That means that if you had a super huge ocean, Saturn would actually float on it. It would take 2 days travelling as fast as a spacecraft can go to go from one end of Saturn's rings to the other side. HOWEVER, the rings are only 65 feet deep. In fact, if you came at it completely parallel to the plain of the rings, you'd likely not make out the rings until you got really close. Lastly, the rings of Saturn are slowly disappearing.
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Comments: 103
Now just trying to look at the stars is a pain since C-5 and C-6 are fused and a titanium plate is holding them fixed in place...old man old body and plenty of scars...
Dan, you ever sit out at night looking at the stars?
:O)
:O)
: )
I actually have size map that takes half of my wall at work that shows the solar system and the little dot for earth. I have a sign that reads in big lettering, "Everyone I know lives here!" and in small lettering, "So take care of it". :)
http://lasp.colorado.edu/~bagenal/3720/CLASS19/saturn_npole.jpg
http://drew-krag.blogspot.com/2007/04/mysterious-clues-into-secerets-of-life.html
TY.
For our earth, it take considerably more energy to reach "escape velocity" than it does to make orbit.
An orbit, even an elliptical one, has the same amount of energy at all points in its orbit in either "potential energy" or kinetic energy. To understand simply: an object above the ground has "potential energy" whether in free fall, sitting on a chair or hanging by a string. It's the physical energy (equivalent to the heightxacceleration of gravityxmass) needed to lift it where ever it went. When released (pushed off the chair, string broke), gravity will cause it to accelerate until, just as it impacts (assuming we're in a vacuum - i.e. no other forces like air friction), it reaches the equivalent "kinetic energy (1/2mass*velocity^2) It's what makes a pendulum swing - lift the weight up and it will swing. The other forces, air friction, elastic tension in the string, etc. that eventually slow it down. So, for an elliptical orbit, the object moves faster when it's close to Earth and slower at the high point of its orbit, but always the "same" energy. A circular orbit has the same speed all around the orbit.
Actually, to put something into orbit from the ground, you first have to give it an orbital velocity. Depending on the angle, it would be an elliptical orbit, often one that will automatically crash it back into Earth. However, if you give it another kick of speed as the extent of the orbit (i.e. the high point of the orbit) you can "circularize" the orbit so it stays in place. Circular orbits are the most stable as elliptical orbits can readily dip into the atmosphere which slows them down and helps them come back to earth. However, even items in high orbit will, very slowly, decay (unless you're at a LaGrange point but that's a whole other discussion). The closer you are to Earth, the the more often you have to reboost to stay in orbit. Even our moon's orbit is slowly, slowly degrading, largely because of the moon's effects on the earth (tides, etc) are energy losses. Don't worry, though, we have many many millennia yet before it crashes down.
Sorry, I'm not an astrophysicist, but I do have a degree in engineering physics and have worked at NASA for 18 years.
The last time my rings disappeared they took with them a large divorce settlement. Saturn's getting off easy.
Oh, wait, you meant the planet. Actually, I think you hit most of what I remember except the ridiculous number of natural satellites. There are at least two other planets with rings, though none are as spectacular. A great source of information on the "nine" planets is here: http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/nineplanets/nineplanets/nineplanets.html
Uranus also has some of the more interesting moons, one with a unique topography and a presumption of being nearly half water ice. It also has the distinction of having moons named for Shakespearean characters instead of the standard greek individuals' names that provide moon names elsewhere (as opposed to the Roman deity names for the planets). Jupiter has two of the most interesting moons I know of.
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The Eyes Have It and Tree Frog Cure
Thanks guys ... I love learning a little something new every day!
Happy Turkey day...
I'll stop now, though I had to admit this was fun. I haven't wandered through my Orbital Mechanics since I was in college, umpteen zillion years ago.
My Christmas Questions
Thanks
Jupiter was always my favourite planet. Saturn seemed to be very popular, though, what with the rings and all.
Take care!