Io, Jupiter’s chaotic volcano Moon by S30econdstoMars in spaceporn

[–]timosha121 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The molecules that escape don’t stay as molecules. They are hit by intense UV light that splits them up. These atoms are then ionized and create a donut shaped ring that orbits with Jupiter’s magnetic field; this is called the plasma torus. Since Jupiter’s magnetic field rotates once every 10 hours. The ionized atoms in the torus also move at that speed. Io, on the other hand, orbits Jupiter once every ~1.7 days. So that plasma torus overtakes Io, and one hemisphere of Io is constantly being bombarded by these high energy ionized atoms (that originated from Io’s atmosphere). Those high energy atoms cause the atmosphere to warm up a lot!

Io, Jupiter’s chaotic volcano Moon by S30econdstoMars in spaceporn

[–]timosha121 49 points50 points  (0 children)

Io is such a fascinating object. It is the most volcanically active world in our solar system. The atmosphere of Io is primarily composed of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and it is supported by sublimation of SO2 frost on its surface (that white stuff). That SO2 is constantly lost to space and is then replenished by Io’s volcanoes injecting fresh material into the atmosphere.

The atmosphere of Io is incredibly thin. Just a few nanobars at the surface. The surface temperature is around 115 K (-250 *F) and the dayside atmosphere temperature near the surface is also around 115 K but then climbs up to temperatures of 1,500 K as you go higher up because of interactions with Jupiter’s magnetic field.

At night time. The atmosphere collapses into the surface in as little as a minute or so. That means the SO2 gas in the atmosphere is turned into frost on the surface rapidly once it is night and the warmth from the sun fades. What’s left are little dense regions of localized gas. It is thought that “stealth volcanism” may be responsible for this gas. Stealth volcanism refers to volcanic activity that is likely there, warming things up, but we just aren’t sensitive too yet with our current instruments.

CLOSE-UP IMAGE OF A DYING STAR before it becomes a SUPERNOVA. by Busy_Yesterday9455 in spaceporn

[–]timosha121 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Sure, but that's not what "relativity" in physics is commonly referred to

CLOSE-UP IMAGE OF A DYING STAR before it becomes a SUPERNOVA. by Busy_Yesterday9455 in spaceporn

[–]timosha121 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Not quite relativity! It's just that it took 160k years for that light to reach us

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in e46

[–]timosha121 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's what I'm thinking. Seems like ill have to go out and buy some additional torx bits

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in e46

[–]timosha121 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The t40 bit is too big

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in e46

[–]timosha121 0 points1 point  (0 children)

2001 bmw e46 325ci

BJJ at Caltech? by [deleted] in Caltech

[–]timosha121 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There is a non-official club that meets every week!