Järventaus’s Solar System of the Steamopera

Solar System of the Steamopera

A very inspiring art by Naeddyr or Järventaus (?) about a solar system in his parallel universe, The Steamopera. It is something like a space age, but in a 19th-century universe.

What inspires me is, of course, the visualization of the solar system (especially the inner bodies). Interestingly, he includes all the real inner planets of the solar system plus some real historical hypothetical planet.

Glyph of Vulcan

Firstly is the appearance of Vulcan below Mercury’s orbit, or in his Steamopera’s term, Vulcanus. The symbol is probably derived from anvil or some sort with a fiery background. Vulcan is actually the 19th century creation of Le Verrier, hypothesized as a planet which orbits closer to the Sun than Mercury is, and perturbs Mercury’s orbit. Later, Vulcan is thought to be the parent body of the Vulcanoids, another asteroid belt which is rich in iron and nickel, and has similar albedo to Mercury. The bodies have never been observed and is likely non-existent, although some scientist still peers through this area looking for possibilities. 

Orbits of the Vulcanoid (Wikipedia)

Secondly is the appearance of Nemesis as the alien exoplanet which orbits too close to the sun and destroyed by its gravity to form later, the “Nemesis-tail” (sort of the secondary Main Asteroid Belt). This event creates a period of “Rage” on Earth (Tellus) around the 18th century, where series of meteoric bombardments and volcano activities happens and destroys some of the great civilization. Interestingly he includes the “Asteroid Field” as well with a description “not very interesting”. Well I say it’s a pity since the 19th century concept of the Main Asteroid Belt is actually very rich in symbolism it self: it was previously thought as an area where four planets orbit the sun: Ceres, Pallas, Vesta, and Juno ... so.

 Nemesis on the right, and perturbed Oort Cloud (Wikipedia)

Nemesis is actually a 1980s creation of a team of scientists who tries to explain an extraterrestrial origin for the mass extinction that was concluded to be periodically happens every 26 million years. It was hypothesized that this object, which later called Nemesis, was the cause for the mass extinction. Nemesis is hypothesized as either a red dwarf or brown dwarf star which is too dim and too far to be seen. Nemesis orbits the sun in a very eccentric orbit between 50,000 to 100,000 AU. On some point when it is closest to the sun, it perturbs the Oort Clouds, sending millions of falling comets to the inner solar system every 26 million years. Too bad today we know that most comets are from the KBO, which orbits 30 – 55 AU, closer to the sun than previously expected. But still, an interesting theory to be thought about.

     

Jarventaus’s glyph of Io (the cow), Europa (the labrys of the Minoan civilization), Ganymede (Eagle!), Callisto (bear’s paw)

Thirdly is the glyphs for the Galileans (I don’t know if this term exist in his parallel universe). For some unknown reason, I love how the glyph for Io turns out (simple and memorable). Ganymede is clearly from the eagle-related myth of Jupiter and Ganymede. Europa, now I know what is that. The labrys, a symbol that is closely associated with Minoan civilization. 

Moskowitz’s Glyph of Io (Iota), Europa (Epsilon), Ganymede (Gamma), Callisto (Kappa)

Denis Moskowitz also creates a rather scientific glyph for the moons (including the other moon’s glyph). Far more scientific, simple, and memorable, but not as pleasant-looking as the Steamopera’s moon glyph.

Fourthly (lol I like using -ly for the 19th century feelings :P), is the very intimidating moons of the Icy Giants of Minerva. I don’t know why but Minerva sounds like an appropriate name to replace Uranus, but the moon Pallas, Arachne, Nike, and Medusa is all a very weird moon with a very intimidating symbol (as well as Minerva itself). These whole system seems to be a system of angry goddesses.

Glyph of Minerva and its moons, Pallas (the helmet-like one), Arachne (spider legs), Nike (trophy, wings? I don’t know?), and Medusa (obviously snake hair and an eye). But why Pallas and Minerva, same person name?

The last planet of the Solar System is Nox, an icy cold gas giant with its moon Thanatos, a gigantic rocky planet about three times the size of the Earth. Talk about potential for developing a story here.

Glyph of Nox and Thanatos, I have nothing to say

Too bad he seems to stop the blog-creation some where in 2007, no improvements. But I think he’s going to create some more stories for his parallel universe. I’m probably going to repost the glyphs in the future because I love symbolism.

Link:

Deviantart: http://naeddyr.deviantart.com

The Steamopera: http://naeddyr.googlepages.com/home

Denis Moskowitz Site: http://www.suberic.net/~dmm/graphics/astro/moons.html

Copyright all belongs to Kristian Järventaus, all him, HIM! FOR ETERNITY! Bwahahahaha! Glory to the Banana Kittehs!

S/1 90482 (2005) Needs a Name

Orcus has a moon and needs a name. What would it be?

http://www.mikebrownsplanets.com/2009/03/s1-90482-2005-needs-your-help.html

First let’s analyze the symbolic relation between the myth and the scientific facts of the (dwarf) planet. Since Orcus has a “symbolic” relation with Pluto, I’m going the Pluto-Charon system first.

Pluto:

myth > son of Cronus and Rhea, brother of Zeus, Hera, Hestia, Poseidon, Demeter. Able to render himself invisible.

Extremity > Brightest KBO from earth, Largest resonant TNO, largest Plutino.

Orbit > A resonant KBO, remote, mystery.

Surface > coldest temperature, Comet?, nitrogen ice, surface contrast

Atmosphere > nitrogen-methane.

Feature name > after underworld deities

 

Charon:

myth > Boatman of Pluto. named after first 4 letters of Lowell’ wife Charlene.

surface > bluer than Pluto, ice

Orbit > Anti-Pluto, always on the opposite end of Pluto’s position.

 

Orcus:

myth > Roman god of the dead, early Etruscan origin, slightly more sinister and punishing than Pluto, origin of ogre and orc; because it is an anti-Pluto.

Orbit > Anti-Pluto, always on the opposite end of Pluto’s position.

 

(Orcus’s Moon"):

myth > ?

Composition > 25-30% size of its parent planet.

Orbit > 10 days

 

Then from the gods’ image point of view:

lol naked pictures of the gods Hades and Charon. Pluto-Charon system are Greek origin

And as for the Etruscan-origin Orcus system, I would personally suggest these deities:

for Orcus

	1. Vanth: The Etruscan female demon of death who lives in the underworld. With the eyes on her wings she sees all and is omni-present. She is a herald of death and can assist a sick person on his deathbed. Her attributes are a snake, torch and key.(www.pantheon.org) Because the moon is smaller than Charon to Pluto is, and is appropriate with the aim of “feminizing” the solar system :). And also, it has an almost similar attribute with Charon as the herald of death.
	2. Phersipnai: Etruscan Proserpina/Persephone. Wife of Aita (Hades). Since Proserpina never been commemorated as a “large object” (399 Persephone is too insignificant), I think it is time to name her name to a “significant” object.
	3. Thesan / Tesana: The Etruscan goddess of the dawn, and the patroness of childbirth. She shows some similarities with the Roman Aurora. I don’t know why a goddess of dawn can be placed far away in the KBO. But the Jungian research by this person deserves a consideration. http://www.mikebrownsplanets.com/2009/03/s1-90482-2005-needs-your-help.html?showComment=1237909260000#c1529582613375011946 And also this link http://ftp.fortunaty.net/com/sacred-texts/pag/err/err07.htm
	4. Tuchulcha: An Etruscan demoness of the underworld. It is a horrible, winged creature with snake-hair and the beak of a bird. (www.pantheon.org) With animal features, Tuchulcha seems to be a minor deity, not really appropriate for Orcus’s moon because the moon is still large in comparison with Orcus
	5.  Charun: The Etruscan demon of death who torments the souls of the deceased in the underworld. He also guards the entrance to the underworld. He is similar to the Greek Charon. Charun is portrayed with the nose of a vulture, pointed ears and is usually winged. His attribute is the hammer, with which he finished off his victims. (www.pantheon.org). Not really appropriate, because Orcus’s moon is least likely to be comparable to Pluto-Charon system. (as Charun was the name for Charon)

I still felt pity about Orpheus not being named to any major object in the solar system. But I think Orpheus is too “large” for a merely moon (and also the fact that the protoplanet which struck the earth also named Orpheus, although more often Theia).

Looking forward to any Etruscan-related name for Orcus’ satellite.

It’s Saturnian Groundhog Day!

Springtime is eminent in Saturn. Saturn will reach its vernal equinox in August 2009 and the signal for this is the casting of the moon’s shadow in the brilliant platform of Saturn’s ring. This is the only time when the moons cast their shadows on the ring rather than on the planet.

The first shadow-casting caught by Cassini is the 130 km Epimetheus. In the coming months, other moons will join Epimetheus and dotting the rings with their own shadows.

The next vernal equinox will be the next 29 years.

   (left) the shadow of Epimetheus on A ring, separated at about less than 20,000 km; (right) the second image of the Saturn’s-equinox-shadow-casting is the shadow of Pan, a small moon that orbits the Encke Gap of Saturn’s A ring. NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute

Funny (but not so accurate) Cartoon

cute cartoon, apart from the fact that Varuna is actually a male god (!)

the real Varuna, God of Water. the “Neptune” of the Indian Myth. Rides on the Makara, a hybrid between a fish and a crocodile. (Wikipedia)

Plant Horoscope

 

Cool ‘vegetable zodiac’ logo from http://www.celestiallivingarts.com/, targeting health-conscious people. Starting from the 9 o’clock position (called the Ascendant), moving in an anti-clockwise direction, each plant represents the zodiacal sign from Aries til Pisces.

 

 

 

There’s no explanation of the logo from the website, but if I trace it myself, I will have (from 9 o’clock position):

• Hot Pepper (Aries), intense, red, bold, hot
• Magnolia (Taurus), sensuous fragrant, showy flower, feminine beauty
• Walnut (Gemini), knowledge hidden within the hard outer casing
• Watermelon (Cancer), watery content, fecundity, summer time
• Orange (Leo), fire, generosity, the golden sun
• Corn (Virgo), harvest, sorting of kernel from silk and wheat from chafe
• Pear (Libra), sweet, love, hope
• Green Onion (Scorpio), pungent, strong, immortality, wards off evil
• Tomato (Sagittarius), juiciness of life
• Beet (Capricorn), rooted, strong structure
• Pineapple (Aquarius), unusual, exotic, spiky
• Water Hyacinth (Pisces), affiliated with water, an insignificant weed

90 Antiope – The Double Asteroid

ESO visualization of 90 Antiope

One of the most interesting asteroid in the solar system, Antiope is a double asteroid of almost equal size. It orbits each other in a distance of only 60 m or so. The center of mass lies in the space between them.

Another interesting visualization of Antiope is a visualization of a Mining Settlement on the asteroid, made by Walter Myers (http://www.arcadiastreet.com/cgvistas/index.html), which is the winning entry for the NSS Space Settlement Art Contest and appeared in the 2008 Calendar.

 

Walter Myers visualization for Mining Settlement on 90 Antiope. The other body of Antiope is only separated as far as 60 km, it is probably possible to jump from asteroid to asteroid, with the hope that you won’t get caught in the center gravity of the asteroid…

Shepherd Moons

Prometheus, one of the inner moon and ring-shaper of Saturn is seen in this picture 30 minutes after it is tore into Saturn's F ring. Cassini snapped this image just as the moon was creating a new streamer in the ring.

Prometheus is one of the “shepherd moon” or ring-shaper of Saturn’s F ring. Shepherd moons act as maintainer of the ring, keeping the sharpness of the ring’s edge by either deflecting the material back into the ring, eject it from the system, or accreted it onto the moon itself. Other known shepherd moons are Metis and Adrastea (Jupiter), Pandora (Saturn), Galatea (Neptune), and some others.

The process of deflecting, ejecting, and accreting ring materials is studied extensively by Cassini. Some of this study involves a movie sequence of what might look as if the moon is playing on a “water surface” (the ring), which is kind of mesmerizing.

Shaping the Drapes. Prometheus appears first, then Pandora follows along outside of the F ring.

Prometheus’s Soft Collision. As Prometheus was located inside the F ring’s, during Prometheus outermost distance from Saturn, it nearly touches the F ring, as seen in this image sequence. 

Terraforming

Terraforming (literally, “Earth-shaping”), is a process of transforming a celestial body to make it habitable to humans. The concept was developed out of science fictions and science facts. Even though NASA claims that such engineering of making the environment of other planet to be habitable for human is not feasible, the theme of ‘terraforming’ create such a nice visualization of how does the planets will look in the future.

Mars

Process of Terraforming Mars

The above image shows a nice visualization of the process of terraforming Mars. In the visualization, the main water source come from the north pole, which then flows southward, filling the lower northern region of Mars, then flowing into the vaults of Valles Marineris, and later also filling the low lying craters. The temperature would probably be 5 degree more than that of average Earth, since the polar caps is missing from the picture :). Also in the visualization, trees are amazingly abundant, maybe because of the rich iron content in the soil (??).

Other view of terraformed Mars, centered around the Tharsis Bulge.

In this view, the Tharsis Bulge on the left center shows 4 main volcanoes of Mars, all extinct, and all snow-capped. The highest one, the Olympus Mons (the standing alone white splotch) is about 25 km high. The volcano lies just on the edge of a coastline. The area between the sea and the volcano is likely to be an extremely popular resort area, providing leisurely activities such as swimming and skiing. Considering the low escape velocity of Mars (0.377 times that of Earth, the lowest escape velocity of all planet, even lower than Mercury), swimming in Mars would be extremely easy as you would be able to leap out from the water like a dolphin, and you is able to make a longest jump with your ski, probably as far as 500 meter! (talk about exaggeration..)

Moon

View of terraformed Moon from Earth

This will be our view of the waxing gibbous in the future. Since the moon locked its rotational period with its orbital period toward Earth, the moon will always shows this side to Earth. There is little land on this hemisphere because this side of the moon are mostly low lying region.

The Dark side of the moon

On the other hand, the dark side of the moon is higher in elevation. The sea on the south of this side is the lowest region in the Moon, sort of the Mariana Trench of the moon (probably more of a low basin). It is actually the South Pole Aitken, which is until now, the largest impact crater in the solar system. Moon will probably be able to grow a well-distributed forest, since the wind power will moves easily in Moon’s low gravity (although the ability of moon to hold a thin atmosphere is questionable, moon will probably have a thicker atmosphere like, same kind of atmosphere as Titan). The low gravity creates another interesting activity to do in Moon, you can probably splash a water with your hand up to the height of 10 meters.  

Venus

 Terraformed Venus centered on Aphrodite Terra, largest continent in Venus

In the future, the nickname “Sister Planet” will be much more appropriate for Venus. Unlike Mars and Moon, Venus has almost the same escape velocity as Earth does (about 90% Earth’ gravity), so the Earth-feel will still be there in Venus. Venus will probably be a more fertile than Earth, because land and water is well-spread in Venus, so mild water-influenced weather is basically everywhere. One of the most extreme differences in Venus is that there will be no seasonal change. Terraformed Mars will have seasons, but with a rotational tilt of 0, Venus will have no season at all. The most unearthy thing in Venus is that the sun always rises in the west and sets in the east, after lingering for 8 (Earth) months in the sky.