Originally published at: https://boingboing.net/2017/10/16/plutos-equator-is-covered-in.html
…
5 Likes
Ice spikes biome.
5 Likes
That would make a great storm glass.
5 Likes
Flash Gordon and the Penitentes of Pluto!
7 Likes
I was kind of given the impression of Marvel’s Cinematic Universe Jotunheim.
5 Likes
Liked for the dolly!
7 Likes
3 Likes
Say I’m not a planet again, and you’re going to get cut.
16 Likes
Tell me I can purchase this wine bottle opener somewhere?
2 Likes
All the cool minor-planets are wearing ice blades this year.
4 Likes
Pluto’s the new place to hang out.
1 Like
Pluto…or Krypton? We report, you decide!
3 Likes
That’s no wine bottle opener…
3 Likes
it’s sublime.
4 Likes
Oh, I know. I have seen the movie–that is why I want to buy the bottle opener!
5 Likes
When Pluto was in the news I was wondering just how bright the sun really is there. According to my arithmetic it’s a little over 5 f-stops darker on Pluto. I think.
Distance from sun to earth: 1 astronomical unit
Distance from sun to pluto: 39.5 AU
2 AU away from sun - 1 f-stop dimmer
4 AU is -2 EV
8 AU is -3 EV
16 AU is -4 EV
32 AU -s -5 EV
3 Likes
Makes me wonder if this could be used for lithobraking. The methane blades would provide a comparatively soft surface to crash in to, much like a pile of cardboard boxes.
3 Likes
Given that these may take millions or billions of years to form, and the likelihood that they’re extremely delicate, I hope no one ever tries lithobreaking against Pluto’s titanic penitentes. Given that Pluto’s surface gravity is about a .083 gees, I doubt anyone ever will have any serious need to.
You could just about read a book under the noonday sun on Pluto. Bear in mind, however, that there is almost no atmosphere to scatter the light.
3 Likes
I was thinking about hitting them at just under solar escape velocity, but you are right, we should leave the place as we found it if possible.
2 Likes
