As NASA reports in a new post, researchers recently discovered that Voyager 2 cruised through a blob of charged gas called a plasmoid as it passed the planet. The spacecraft's journey through the plasmoid lasted only about a minute, but that was still long enough for scientists to spot the anomaly in the decades-old data.
Determining where the gassy blob came from was difficult, but the researchers think they have it figured out:
Readings from inside the plasmoid — as Voyager 2 flew through it — hinted at its origins. Whereas some plasmoids have a twisted internal magnetic field, DiBraccio and Gershman observed smooth, closed magnetic loops. Such loop-like plasmoids are typically formed as a spinning planet flings bits of its atmosphere to space.The scientists believe that gas loss may have already drained as much 55% of the planet's atmosphere. Loss of atmosphere resulting in plasmoids has been observed around other planets in our solar system, including Saturn and Jupiter, though it's thought that Uranus has leaked far more of its gas than the rest.
Uranus is an incredibly strange planet when compared to its peers in our system. It rotates on its side, making it an immediate standout. On top of that, it has a distinct wobble that astronomers have been trying to explain for a long time. It's believed that a massive object slammed into Uranus a long time ago, and its bizarre movement today is a direct result of that event.
"The data revealed a helical bundle of magnetic flux containing planetary plasma, known as a 'plasmoid,' in the tail of the magnetosphere," the researchers write in a paper published in Geophysical Research Letters. "This first observation of a plasmoid in an Ice Giant magnetosphere elucidates processes that occur in the magnetosphere of Uranus and suggests that plasmoids may play a large role in transporting plasma."
Only a limited amount can be learned from such a brief observation, but the scientists are making the most of it. In the future, subsequent missions past (or to) Uranus could reveal additional details about its atmosphere loss.
Reader Comments
Oh come on, you did that on purpose.
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*Alternatively, it's a common phenomenon know as 'planetary flatulence.'
*Yeah, I saw them on that tour, (1975? at Lakeland, Fl. They were warmup for Rod Stewart's Atlantic Crossing and Jeff Beck's Blow by Blow tour. I still well recall the lights going off and the sounds of 'Sweet Emotion" kicking it off.) Great show.
"Alien IV"
In space, no one can hear you fart
Same Q to you.
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Have any of us gotten more 'mature' since first grade?
Commodus: "Slave, what is your name"
Salve: "I am, Uranius leakus Methania. Son of Gaseous Gigantica Sphinctorius from the outer reaches of Eurholeia
You know, Astronauts weren't supposed to survive going to the moon because of the Van Allen belt and NASA is still shitting itself over sending people to the moon even now. Did those men actually go or not because you have to ask. That said, Jupiter's Van Allen belt is in the order of 40 times more powerful that Earth's. We are talking about an electromagnetic field that has a radioactive intensity that is up there with Fukushima and no little contraption that they sent in there has ever come out, bar none! It's a veritable sea of dead robots in there so how in hell did both Voyager spacecraft go deep into Jupiter's Van Allen belts (all three) and survive to tell the tale? Go do some research to find the answer and you'll soon realise that nothing could survive Jupiter's Van Allen belts, so what gives?!! How could we have images of Saturn, Neptune and Your Anus if they didn't survive? Perhaps the Voyager in the Smithsonian is the actual Voyager and not a mock up at all.
I content that if the EU is valid, then the planets would not be at the same distance, and would not be travelling at the same speed as per the current model, which solely uses gravity based math
T hat said, I've not seen any supporting comments by EU supporters
The problem is if the planets are not where the current model says that they are, how did we send probes to Jupiter, Neptune etc.
Why do you think technologically "ancient" (50 years old) probes could be successfully protected from Jupiter's Van Allen belts but they still cannot build a machine capable of examining the reactors at Fukushima
So now every knows that Pluto looks like a cartoon dog and Uranus does smelly farts ... it seems like a simple programming method, provide ridiculous trivia that does not get questioned, but rather people make jokes, and in some way accept the "fact" as being true
I always thought of the Universe as a Tesla coil. Lots of electrical outputs but strong enough to maintain that link indefinitely.
Jeezus, haven't you people ever heard of Bacofoil?
LOL.
apologies in advance...
The notes are from an inexperienced Chili taster named Frank, who was visiting from Canada.
Frank: “Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I
happened to be standing there at the judge’s table asking for directions to the Coors Light truck, when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges (Native Texans) that the chili wouldn’t be all that spicy and, besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted”.
Here are the scorecards from the event: (Frank is Judge #3)
Chili # 1 Mike’s Maniac Monster Chili Judge # 1 — A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick. Judge # 2 — Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild. Judge # 3 — (Frank) Holy shit, what the hell is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames out. I hope that’s the worst one. These Texans are crazy.
Chili # 2 Arthur’s Afterburner Chili Judge # 1 — Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.> Judge # 2 — Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously. Judge # 3 — Keep this out of the reach of children. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.
Chili # 3 Fred’s Famous Burn Down the Barn Chili Judge # 1 — Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick. Needs more beans. Judge # 2 — A bean less chili, a bit salty, good use of peppers. Judge # 3 — Call the EPA. I’ve located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I’m getting shit- faced from all of the beer.
Chili # 4 Bubba’s Black Magic Judge # 1 — Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing. Judge # 2 — Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili.. Judge # 3 — I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the barmaid, was standing behind me with fresh refills. That 300-lb woman is starting to look HOT…just like this nuclear waste I’m eating! Is chili an aphrodisiac?
Chili # 5 Linda’s Legal Lip Remover Judge # 1 — Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive. Judge # 2 — Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement. Judge # 3 — My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I’m burning my lips off. It really pisses me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw those rednecks.
Chili # 6 Vera’s Very Vegetarian Variety Judge # 1 — Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spices and peppers. Judge # 2 — The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb. Judge # 3 — My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulphuric flames. I shit myself when I farted and I’m worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that Sally. Can’t feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my arse with a snow cone.
Chili # 7 Susan’s Screaming Sensation Chili Judge # 1 — A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers. Judge # 2 — Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. **I should take note that I am worried about Judge # 3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably. Judge # 3 — You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I
wouldn’t feel a thing. I’ve lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava to match my shirt. At least during the autopsy, they’ll know what killed me. I’ve decided to stop breathing it’s too painful. Screw it; I’m not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I’ll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach.
Chili # 8 Tommy’s Toenail Curling Chili Judge # 1 — The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence. Judge # 2 — This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge #3 farted, passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he’s going to make it. Poor fella, wonder how he’d have reacted to really hot chili?
Contest Over
😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆 Such a lovely start to a poem!
and all was visible from its ever glowing light.
But all was not well in this lunar week
But far beyond the stars and
past the red glow of Mars,
coming from Uranus, as gas leak.
The galaxy was covered in this strange blue mist
Martians were scampering around and shaking their fist
But to no avail, that leak persist.
Until one day from a planet far away
came a man called Musk to save the day.
He flew in on his SUV
The martians started to flee.
He raised his hand and spoke with might
and lite a match in pure delight.
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