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  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property SelectQuery::$alterTags is deprecated in SelectQuery->addTag() (line 978 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/select.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property DatabaseCondition::$stringVersion is deprecated in DatabaseCondition->compile() (line 1887 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/query.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property DatabaseCondition::$stringVersion is deprecated in DatabaseCondition->compile() (line 1887 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/query.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property DatabaseCondition::$stringVersion is deprecated in DatabaseCondition->compile() (line 1887 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/query.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property DatabaseCondition::$stringVersion is deprecated in DatabaseCondition->compile() (line 1887 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/query.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property SelectQuery::$alterTags is deprecated in SelectQuery->addTag() (line 978 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/select.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property DatabaseCondition::$stringVersion is deprecated in DatabaseCondition->compile() (line 1887 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/query.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property DatabaseCondition::$stringVersion is deprecated in DatabaseCondition->compile() (line 1887 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/query.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property SelectQuery::$alterTags is deprecated in SelectQuery->addTag() (line 978 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/select.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property DatabaseCondition::$stringVersion is deprecated in DatabaseCondition->compile() (line 1887 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/query.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property DatabaseCondition::$stringVersion is deprecated in DatabaseCondition->compile() (line 1887 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/query.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property SelectQuery::$alterTags is deprecated in SelectQuery->addTag() (line 978 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/select.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property DatabaseCondition::$stringVersion is deprecated in DatabaseCondition->compile() (line 1887 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/query.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property DatabaseCondition::$stringVersion is deprecated in DatabaseCondition->compile() (line 1887 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/query.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property SelectQuery::$alterTags is deprecated in SelectQuery->addTag() (line 978 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/select.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property DatabaseCondition::$stringVersion is deprecated in DatabaseCondition->compile() (line 1887 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/query.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property DatabaseCondition::$stringVersion is deprecated in DatabaseCondition->compile() (line 1887 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/query.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property SelectQuery::$alterTags is deprecated in SelectQuery->addTag() (line 978 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/select.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property DatabaseCondition::$stringVersion is deprecated in DatabaseCondition->compile() (line 1887 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/query.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property DatabaseCondition::$stringVersion is deprecated in DatabaseCondition->compile() (line 1887 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/query.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property DatabaseCondition::$stringVersion is deprecated in DatabaseCondition->compile() (line 1887 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/query.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property DatabaseCondition::$stringVersion is deprecated in DatabaseCondition->compile() (line 1887 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/query.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_default::$is_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/cache.inc).
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  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$is_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/cache.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$default_display is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/cache.inc).
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  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$id is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/cache.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$display_title is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/cache.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$display_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/cache.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$position is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/cache.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$is_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/cache.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$default_display is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/cache.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$vid is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/cache.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$id is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/cache.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$display_title is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/cache.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$display_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/cache.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$position is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/cache.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$is_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/cache.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$default_display is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/cache.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$vid is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/cache.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$id is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/cache.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$display_title is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/cache.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$display_plugin is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/cache.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_display::$position is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/cache.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property view::$export_module is deprecated in DrupalDatabaseCache->prepareItem() (line 449 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/cache.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property view::$type is deprecated in ctools_export_load_object() (line 537 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/sites/all/modules/ctools/includes/export.inc).
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  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_default::$is_plugin is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 59 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_default::$localization_keys is deprecated in view->init_display() (line 501 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$is_plugin is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 59 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$localization_keys is deprecated in view->init_display() (line 501 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$default_display is deprecated in view->init_display() (line 509 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$is_plugin is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 59 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$localization_keys is deprecated in view->init_display() (line 501 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$default_display is deprecated in view->init_display() (line 509 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$is_plugin is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 59 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$localization_keys is deprecated in view->init_display() (line 501 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_display_page::$default_display is deprecated in view->init_display() (line 509 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property view::$relationships_fixed is deprecated in view->fix_missing_relationships() (line 628 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_field_date::$is_handler is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 55 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_field_date::$localization_keys is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 224 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_plugin_localization_none::$is_plugin is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 59 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property view::$localization_plugin is deprecated in view->init_localization() (line 2145 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_field_date::$table is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 235 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_field_date::$field is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 247 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_field_date::$is_handler is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 55 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_field_date::$localization_keys is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 224 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
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  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_field_date::$field is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 247 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property feeds_views_handler_field_log_message::$is_handler is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 55 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
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  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_argument_numeric::$localization_keys is deprecated in views_handler->init() (line 224 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
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  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_sort::$is_handler is deprecated in _views_create_handler() (line 55 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/sites/all/modules/views/includes/handlers.inc).
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  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property view::$inited is deprecated in view->init_handlers() (line 713 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/sites/all/modules/views/includes/view.inc).
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  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property views_handler_argument_numeric::$argument_validated is deprecated in views_handler_argument->validate_arg() (line 1068 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/sites/all/modules/views/handlers/views_handler_argument.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property SelectQuery::$alterTags is deprecated in SelectQuery->addTag() (line 978 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/select.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property DatabaseCondition::$stringVersion is deprecated in DatabaseCondition->compile() (line 1887 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/query.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property DatabaseCondition::$stringVersion is deprecated in DatabaseCondition->compile() (line 1887 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/query.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property SelectQuery::$alterTags is deprecated in SelectQuery->addTag() (line 978 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/select.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property DatabaseCondition::$stringVersion is deprecated in DatabaseCondition->compile() (line 1887 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/query.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property DatabaseCondition::$stringVersion is deprecated in DatabaseCondition->compile() (line 1887 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/query.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property SelectQuery::$alterTags is deprecated in SelectQuery->addTag() (line 978 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/select.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property DatabaseCondition::$stringVersion is deprecated in DatabaseCondition->compile() (line 1887 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/query.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Creation of dynamic property DatabaseCondition::$stringVersion is deprecated in DatabaseCondition->compile() (line 1887 of /srv/outerspaceways.info/includes/database/query.inc).
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#1 Sat, 2000-10-21 00:46
Chris DeVito
Offline
Last seen: 12 years 11 months ago
Joined: 2010-12-22 23:45

"...in this cool and slothful atmosphere..."

Clouds, Rain May Make Saturn Moon Homey But Methane, Not Water, Probably Falls From Sky

By Maggie Fox Reuters

WASHINGTON (Oct. 20) - Clouds and rain may make Saturn's moon Titan look a little bit like home, but its spring showers would produce drops of methane, not water, scientists say.

They said images taken from the Earth strongly suggest that Titan, the moon considered to be most like our planet, has clouds made of methane.

The clouds move about and disappear, which suggests that they produce rain, Caitlin Griffith of Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff and colleagues report in Friday's issue of the journal Science.

"Their short lives point to the presence of rain," the astronomers wrote. "We propose that Titan's atmosphere resembles Earth's, with clouds, rain and an active weather cycle."

Except, instead of water, this weather is produced by the stuff of cow burps and swamp gas -- methane.

For their study, Griffith and colleagues analyzed near-infrared light emitted by Titan. Such spectral analyses can show what elements and compounds are present, and in what amounts.

They found a lot of methane in the atmosphere, and found its presence waxed and waned. One big fluctuation looked like nothing so much as a hurricane-sized cloud system.

One mystery is how the clouds and weather systems form. Earth gets a lot of energy from the sun and spins quickly, both of which cause weather systems to move across its surface.

"Compared to Earth, Titan's atmosphere is cooler, more massive and thus essentially more sluggish," the researchers wrote. "Titan spins slowly, providing little vorticity to cloud systems. In addition, Titan receives about 100 times less power from the sun."

And no one knows yet just what goes on at the surface of the moon.

"The local terrain, topography, winds and humidity on Titan are unknown," they wrote. "The mysterious instigator of activity in this cool and slothful atmosphere will be examined with future ground-based observations and by the Cassini spacecraft encounter with Titan in 2004."

Ralph Lorenz of the University of Arizona in Tucson said ultraviolet light from the Sun should be burning off the methane in Titan's atmosphere.

"For the methane we see today not to be a bizarre fluke, it must be continuously resupplied from a surface reservoir or by cryovolcanism (that is, volcanism where the molten 'rock' is just water ice)," he wrote in a commentary on the findings.

But he said the report paints an interesting picture of what Titan's drizzle might look like.

"In Titan's thick atmosphere and moon-like gravity, methane raindrops could be over 9 mm wide (.36 inches) -- rather larger than terrestrial raindrops -- yet would fall at a languid 1.6 meters (5.2 feet) per second, not unlike snowflakes on Earth (a picture already embraced by science fiction)."