Science Tidbits #4

[Lupine]

I think they said that details down to 4 kilometers can be seen in the images. That would be just above Sagan's hypothetical floaters.

[RJDiogenes]

Or maybe that's just what they want us to think.

[Lupine]

^

I wonder though if floaters were spotted if we'd even immediately recognize what it is we're seeing.

[RJDiogenes]

Probably not. It would just be more controversial evidence, like the blueberries and methane blooms on Mars.

[Lupine]

Or the red steaks on Europa having the same spectra-graphic signature as cyano-bacteria.

[RJDiogenes]

I know, it's always some tantalizing hint. Nothing ever concrete. Aargh.

Well, Phil Plait has chimed in on the Great Red Spot flyover. And he's got a link to a beautiful and humongous image.

[Lupine]

This story has been brewing for a few days. Radio signals from Ross 128? They fully admit that it is unlikely that they're due to aliens- not to mention: could we get that lucky? Intelligence right on our doorstep? That could make such civilizations as common as dirt.
We'll just have to wait and see what the other telescope finds.

[RJDiogenes]

The translation is coming in now: "Hey... do you guys see that Dyson Sphere over at Tabby's Star...?"

This is certainly very intriguing, but will likely turn out to be another "Wow" signal or Tabby's Star-- intriguing evidence that cannot be proven or disproven. Sigh.

[Lupine]

^Sadly, probably true, though I suspect it will be due to some feature of the star itself.

[RJDiogenes]

Or interaction with an invisible companion. It's probably a contact binary or something.

[Lupine]

No companions have been seen yet. But it is a flare star.

[RJDiogenes]

True. It's still an unusual signal, though. It seems like something atypical must be happening.

[Lupine]

Speaking of atypical, this thread's post count is now over 500.