Astro-image of the day: planet-spanning wall on Iapetus

[mckitterick]

Okay, I'm using "planet" just for dramatic effect, because Iapetus is a moon of Saturn. But wow! The story linked via the image argues that this 12-mile-high, 60-trillion-mile-long (or something) wall could only have been built by intelligent beings using, oh, say, nanofacturing methods.

Look at this amazing shot:

Click the image to see the story.

The author then examines close-ups like this one, "clearly showing" square-walled architecture:

Click the image to see the story.

Inspiring stuff for SF writers! Wacky, too, but hey - it's SF! We can use material like this for cool settings. Unfortunately, NASA debunks the argument that Iapetus is a manufactured world. (But of course they would! The Man is in league with the aliens!)

Thanks to james_nicoll for the tip!

Best,
Chris

Comments

[weaselmom.livejournal.com]

Halp! The crazy... it burns!

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

But, hey, how do you explain those artificially constructed features? Huh?

*g*

60-million-mile-long

[james-nicoll.livejournal.com]

Um.

Re: 60-million-mile-long

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Hee hee. There, I made it more dramatic.

I also like the theory that "Hoagland is an alien plant sent to cover for the day there actually is something we find artificial: he'll claim it is and the rest of us will automatically ignore that possibility."

Heh.

[adammaker.livejournal.com]

Don't land there!
It is a huge Pokemon ball and it has been holding the Cthulhi for eons!

The horrific details at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cthulhu#Star-spawn_of_Cthulhu

[weaselmom.livejournal.com]

Good thing I have these Shout wipes conveniently stored in my desk drawer.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

"Yuggoth'hg ng'hlui ph'thaghua k'lorhn h'gnohma Ghoora. Plg'n n'hgua Fomalhaut - d'rgu krha'grua ph'kalgn."

[adammaker.livejournal.com]

This has been a test of the emergency drink launch system...

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

"Y'knath gthu'n'ullha k'th'ryggki y'leth k'yi mrrh'ungha shabu'll'yeh, p'knoi ng'rea pgrn'thywla wrr'ingen q'rhi g'rrneth phta'lyagn dbnat SUV, plg'n hfrn'ngaah.

[chernobylred.livejournal.com]

I'm not saying I buy it, but it didn't sound any crazier than some alien theories...until he started on the sacred ritual resort world tangent. At which point I quietly nodded and backed away.

And yes, that would be Part 6. I skimmed, OK?

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Hooray - a resort for Thuloids!

[chernobylred.livejournal.com]

Everyone deserves a vacation now and again. Even Eaters Of Worlds.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

The more the better, for us mortals.