Methane on Titan

Posted by: garyi on 21 January 2005

What happens if the little probe on that moon sends a spark off?
Posted on: 21 January 2005 by TomK
We'll get the most spectacular lit fart ever seen.
Posted on: 21 January 2005 by Hammerhead
Very smelly solar wind?
Posted on: 21 January 2005 by BigH47
Gosh has mick been talking there as well!
Posted on: 21 January 2005 by cunningplan
I think it would be a lot better if Mick Parry was on Titan Big Grin

Clive
Posted on: 21 January 2005 by Paul Ranson
I think there's a distinct lack of oxygen so the match will just go out.

Paul
Posted on: 21 January 2005 by Martin D
You’re all missing the point. This is one of the most scientifically important times of our lives and you make jokes about farts like schoolboys
Posted on: 21 January 2005 by Aric
Paul's right. Apparently there is NO oxygen, so I guess it would just be kinda smelly.
Posted on: 21 January 2005 by TomK
quote:
Originally posted by Martin D:
You’re all missing the point. This is one of the most scientifically important times of our lives and you make jokes about farts like schoolboys


Are you being serious? The thread was obviously started as a prompt for a bit of banter. It's quite possible to appreciate the scientific consequences of this mission while retaining a sense of humour. I'd suggest the only person missing the point is you.
Posted on: 22 January 2005 by garyi
There was a degree of banter but an underlying intrigue to my question.

So methane needs oxygen to burn? I didn't know that.

Fire Triangle I 'spose.
Posted on: 22 January 2005 by Paul Ranson
Oxygen is not always required for 'burning' but with Methane I think it probably is. Albeit I'm not a Chemist.

IIRC Hydrogen will burn in Chlorine (lovely silver flame) to give Hydrochloric acid. Nice.

Paul
Posted on: 22 January 2005 by Steve B
I thought everything needed oxygen to burn - although I note your ''s.

I wish I'd stayed on at school and followed up the sciences now. That's one of my biggest regrets in life.

Steve B
Posted on: 22 January 2005 by TomK
Gary I confess I had the same thoughts. Could a single unexpected and instantaneous event (like lightning for example) ravage a whole planet? Any astronomers here to enlighten us?
Posted on: 22 January 2005 by Lomo
SteveB, Stars twinkle...planets don't
Posted on: 22 January 2005 by Steve B
Confused
Posted on: 24 January 2005 by Matthew T
quote:
Originally posted by Aric:
Paul's right. Apparently there is NO oxygen, so I guess it would just be kinda smelly.


But methane doesn't smell, no really... Roll Eyes
Matthew
Posted on: 24 January 2005 by gusi
If the atmosphere on Titan was explosive any meteorite falling on it would have set it off ages ago.

Methane does indeed not smell the gas company adds a tracer gas so we know if we left the cooker on.
Posted on: 24 January 2005 by TomK
The board that just keeps on educating!

Methane
Posted on: 24 January 2005 by Berlin Fritz
I always thought he was a character in Macbeth ?


Fritz Von Battle of the Gases Roll Eyes