Planets Alive: Part Four &Ndash; Jupiter
Jupiter holds the biggest surprises for life.
Introduction
Our biggest gas giant is the third brightest object in the night sky, after the moon, and Venus. If all planets were squeezed together they would just reach Jupiter’s mass. Jupiter is 1 317 times bigger than the Earth. For us, too, Jupiter would be hospitable. The moons of Jupiter could easily support a land or terrestrial base for civilization. “The Jovian System” with her milliard moons and slushy satellites is a mini-solar system, complete with all we could possibly desire. The Jovian Neighborhood is welcoming to settlement as Jupiter has an abundance of moons and natural resources.
Image via Wikipedia
Metallic Hydrogen – Quantum Fluid
When hydrogen gas is crushed under very high pressure it becomes metallic in its’ nature – in effect a metal-gas. Experiments creating this on Earth have been incomplete and humanity has yet to make any for study. What is sure is 42% of Jupiter’s atmosphere is this very important gaseous-metal – a superconductor. This is an entirely new compound and a promising, “quantum fluid,” neither liquid, gas or solid. Humanity would find this most useful indeed.
How important is this discovery for humanity?
· A compound that is a metal, behaving like gas, would be vital for the engine fuel of the future. If you cool, “metallic hydrogen,” it releases large amounts of energy, much like steam turning to water.
· This would give 5 time more power than the current hydrogen peroxide fuel of the space-shuttle
· Jupiter, in short, is an unlimited natural well of clean, green gasoline whose only by-product is water.
The Jovian System could quickly-support large human cities in space, powered by metallic hydrogen, with more than enough left over to also power the Earth.
Large Supplies of Every Element
Jupiter’s rings, moons and skies have vast amounts of every single element in the periodic table. No shortage whatsoever. There exists plenty of hydrogen and oxygen, for water, as well as metallic hydrogen, for fuel. Every element, compound and natural resource is available in the Jovian solar system. All compounds for growing food, running a Western-style home and more for export surrounds Jupiter. There’s plenty of everything there simply for the taking. Jupiter is far likely to quickly support, above any other planetary candidate, an advanced human colony able to harvest all this unlimited supply of useful compounds. When humanity has the tech then so colonization shall commence.
Image via Wikipedia
Visitors
Luckily for us, Jupiter is at the centre of the solar system and a complete system itself. Jupiter has been part of the human story for ages. It boggles the mind what surrounds Jupiter. Space cities, grown from small space stations, would easily thrive in the Jovian System. That is why we have already sent eleven space probes to study this fascinating place.
Here are 3:
1. Pioneer 10, in 1973, sent the first images
2. Galileo Orbiter and Probe, 1995 – 2003, was first to enter Jupiter’s atmosphere after photographing the moons
3. Smaller later probes, up to 2007, double-checking, then visiting the rest of the gas giants plus Pluto.
Three Decent Moons
Jupiter has three great moons capable of supporting life.
· Ganymede, the largest moon in the Solar System, has a significant magnetosphere shielding it from Jupiter’s strong radiation.
· Calistoga also seems viable for a base
· Europa could also be a good candidate for life.
Jupiter is an Aladdin’s Cave for us at this time. The nation committing to colonizing the place will be rich beyond their wildest expectations. The hurdles of a strong magnetism and gravity there, could be surmounted, – large colonies would find it a relatively habitable situation.
Image via Wikipedia
Haiku for Jupiter
Jovian giant,
Super abundant supplies,
The next leap for all.
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3 Responses to “Planets Alive: Part Four &Ndash; Jupiter”
On September 18, 2009 at 9:15 am
Another interesting write, thanks for sharing this!
On September 18, 2009 at 2:30 pm
I’m ready to expatriate.
On September 18, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Great article!!
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