Space snails!

[todofwar]

http://www.sciencechannel.com/tv-shows/nasas-unexplained-files/nasas-unexplained-files-videos/space-snails-on-pluto/

I propose changing the science channel's name to the syense channel, to avoid potential confusion. 

[Scotius]

That would have to be one mighty big snail

[Nuke]

dont watch documentaries on any other channel than pbs. even then you might get stuck with garbage.

[insert_name]

the documentary explained that the "snail" was just water ice, and did a decent job of explaining convection. Other than a sensationalist title, I see nothing wrong with this

[ProtoJeb21]

6 hours ago, todofwar said:

 

http://www.sciencechannel.com/tv-shows/nasas-unexplained-files/nasas-unexplained-files-videos/space-snails-on-pluto/

 

I'm really glad that there are some more episodes of NASA's Unexplained Files. The last new episode before this was back in April! This episode was pretty good.

Also, about the space snails, they COULD be clumps of very hardy bacteria that act as a blobby group under Pluto's crust. The Black Blobs could then be lifted up to the surface by the same convection method explained in the episode. Or they're just rocks. Or alien vehicles left behind from some snow-speeding.

[insert_name]

41 minutes ago, ProtoJeb21 said:

I'm really glad that there are some more episodes of NASA's Unexplained Files. The last new episode before this was back in April! This episode was pretty good.

Also, about the space snails, they COULD be clumps of very hardy bacteria that act as a blobby group under Pluto's crust. The Black Blobs could then be lifted up to the surface by the same convection method explained in the episode. Or they're just rocks. Or alien vehicles left behind from some snow-speeding.

Pretty sure it's just ice

[Bill Phil]

Personally I think the Phobos monolith is much more interesting. It's just a really cool boulder, though...

[ProtoJeb21]

19 hours ago, insert_name said:

Pretty sure it's just ice

Bleh. Either way, the processes that made the boulder-snail-vehicle-things the shape they are now appears to be bizarre, especially since they look somewhat sculpted. Convection currents of slushy Nitrogen, perhaps?

[lajoswinkler]

It's mostly solid water and ammonia. Its relatively low reflectivity compared to the convection zones (something NASA failed to promptly and properly identify as Bénard cells back when it was obvious to a couple of forumers and myself) can be explained by it staying afloat between the cells and being exposed to UV and ionizing rays far longer than the continuously recycling nitrogen and carbon monoxide.

Compositionally, it seems identical to Pluto's mountains.

 

 

The "documentary" is poorly done. No need for stupid lies in order to engage people into watching it.

Edited September 3, 2016 by lajoswinkler

[DDE]

On ‎03‎.‎09‎.‎2016 at 5:49 PM, lajoswinkler said:

No need for stupid lies in order to engage people into watching it.

Sadly, clickbait titles are absolutely necessary these days.