That's no moon.... it's a video games icon!

[Zulu Romeo]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8594101.stm

The Cassini spacecraft in orbit around Saturn has caught an interesting new view of the tiny moon Mimas.

The probe measured temperature differences across the object's surface and produced a map that looks just like the 1980s Pac-Man video games icon.

Scientists are unsure why Mimas should display such variations but say it is probably related to the diversity of textures in the surface materials.

Some textures may retain heat better than others, they explain.

Mimas is about 400km (250 miles) across. It has a distinctive scar called Herschel Crater which has led many to draw comparisons with the "Death Star" from the Star Wars movies.

Well, I think that's pretty conclusive there...

 

[ITL]

I've got a bad feeling about this....

Wakka wakka wakka wakka

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I always knew Mimas looked like the Death Star (or is it the other way around?) but now it also looks like Pac-Man. Weird.

 

[Zulu Romeo]

Damned Rebel Alliance propaganda, that's what that is.

 

[Lindley]

Clearly, Pac-Man needs a superlaser upgrade.

 

[publiusr]

Miranda is the moon that creeps me out. Looks just like it had been strip-mined.

 

[Jetfire]

I always thought Iapetus was the strange moon.

 

[ThunderAeroI]

Miranda is the moon that creeps me out. Looks just like it had been strip-mined.

There is a sci-fi plot in there someplace. Either of the two options are possible:

- We once mined it, massive death insued and our entire race fell back, and we are now rebuilding without the knowledge of our past.

- someone is currently minning it, and we cant resolve them from our distance.

 

[MANT!]

Damn ATT....

NEVER MESS WITH MA BELL!!