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posted by martyb on Wednesday June 26 2019, @07:06AM   Printer-friendly
from the investigations-are-crystal dept.

Alien Crystals Unlike Any Found on Earth Might Encrust The Edges of Titan's Lakes

Scientists have recreated Titan-like conditions in a lab, and found that organic molecules from Titan's atmosphere could be forming rings of alien crystals around the methane lakes that dot the Saturn moon's surface.

Previously, the team led by researchers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory had discovered two of these 'molecular minerals'. Now they've discovered a third, made of acetylene and butane, and believe it could be the most abundant one yet.

"We have demonstrated previously that some organic molecules readily form co-crystals in Titan-relevant conditions, including acetylene," they write in a conference abstract presented this week.

"We report here preliminary evidence for a third co-crystal between acetylene and butane, which could be the most common molecular mineral discovered so far."


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  • (Score: 2) by Nuke on Wednesday June 26 2019, @12:35PM (3 children)

    by Nuke (3162) on Wednesday June 26 2019, @12:35PM (#860062)

    When they build a space station, there will be no stepping outside for a cigarette.

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  • (Score: 3, Informative) by deimtee on Wednesday June 26 2019, @12:58PM (2 children)

    by deimtee (3272) on Wednesday June 26 2019, @12:58PM (#860066) Journal

    Nah, stuff won't burn. There's no free oxygen.
    You could make a pretty good blowtorch though, with just a tank of oxygen and a nozzle.

    --
    If you cough while drinking cheap red wine it really cleans out your sinuses.
    • (Score: 2) by Rupert Pupnick on Wednesday June 26 2019, @03:46PM

      by Rupert Pupnick (7277) on Wednesday June 26 2019, @03:46PM (#860123) Journal

      Somebody call Elon Musk! Sounds like a great opportunity for him here! ;)

    • (Score: 2) by Osamabobama on Wednesday June 26 2019, @08:01PM

      by Osamabobama (5842) on Wednesday June 26 2019, @08:01PM (#860238)

      Nah, stuff won't burn. There's no free oxygen.

      That's why you can't step outside to smoke.

      --
      Appended to the end of comments you post. Max: 120 chars.