Into the realms of Sci Fi

[Ric]

As far as conspiracy theories go this is a beauty.

Taken from "Universe Today"


The story: On October 15th 1997, the Cassini-Huygens mission blasted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to explore Saturn and its moons. It continues to study the ringed gas giant today and its mission has been extended till 2010. Cassini is is powered by 32.8 kg (72 lbs) of plutonium fuel. A radioactive power source is the only option for missions travelling beyond the orbit of Mars as sunlight is too weak for solar panels to be effective. However, NASA (in association with secret organizations, such as the Illuminati or the Freemasons) wants to use this plutonium for a "higher purpose", dropping Cassini deep into Saturn at the end of its mission where atmospheric pressures will be so large that it will compress the probe, detonating like a nuclear bomb. What's more, this will trigger a chain reaction, kick-starting nuclear fusion, turning Saturn into a fireball. This is what has become known as The Lucifer Project. This second sun will have dire consequences for us on Earth, killing millions from the huge influx of radiation by this newborn star. Earth's loss becomes the Saturn moon Titan's gain, suddenly it is habitable and the organizations playing "God" can start a new civilization in the Saturn system. What's more, exactly the same thing was attempted when the Galileo probe was dropped into Jupiter's atmosphere in 2003…

The reality: Now that the Cassini mission has been extended by two years, we can expect this conspiracy theory to become more and more vocal in the coming months. But like the Galileo/Jupiter/second sun theory, this one is just as inaccurate, once again using bad science to scare people.

I do love a good conspiracy but I would have thought that Titan will suffer the same radiation effect as Earth would.

[Jen]

im not scared



hahahhaa

[Chrissyo (Chris)]

This is a funny one. Complete and utter nonsense of course, but funny that there are people that actually believe it! The small fact that neither Jupiter or Saturn are massive enough to sustain fusion ... only a tiny problem, really!

There is a set of videos from YouTube available by Phil Plait, the Bad Astronomer from one of the TAM meetings a few years back that discusses this conspiracy theory and why it simply can't work. Actually, it's about the former version of this CS - for when Galelio entered Jupiter. Most of the problems relate to both though. It's a fun talk.

Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7

He starts talking about Jupiter/Galelio a bit of the way through Part 4.

[TrevorW]

Hey didn't this start in 2001 and will happen in 2010

but I though it's Jupiter not Saturn

and we actually take no part in it.

:welc ome:

[AlexN]

yeah..funny..

I would think that Saturns moon titan would be destroyed in the aftershock...

Have you ever filled an empty coke can with gas out of a bic lighter then lit the lighter under the opening? you get a little explosion that toasts the hairs off your hand....

Substitute the can for saturns atmosphere. the bic lighter gas for saturns gas. and the flame for the so called "nuclear explosion" and your synged hands for Titan.

Even if it were possible, I think you'll find it wouldnt simply ignite but stay at its current size. as it ignites it would grow.

From what I recall reading in a few books, Jupiter is of the correct chemical makeup to be a star, but is not hot enough to ignite.... I'll re-read and post up a quote later... However it refers to Jupiter as a failed star.

Again, if it were to ignite, I think we'd all be pretty heavily tanned in the aftermath... Ie. Burnt to a crisp......

[MrB (Simon)]

I love reading stuff like this, yeah it's a pretty sad indication of the originator's state of mind, but boy do I get a good chuckle.

[cahullian]

If SL9 didn't kick start Saturn into a star nothing will.

Gazz