We have kittens in orbit around Saturn

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    Orbit Saturn
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the playful naming of small clumps and moonlets in Saturn's F ring as "kittens" by NASA's Cassini spacecraft team. Participants engage with the whimsical nature of this naming convention and its implications, while also reflecting on the broader context of astronomy and its lighter side.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express amusement at the idea of naming celestial features after kittens, highlighting the creativity involved in astronomy.
  • One participant humorously suggests potential consequences if a "kitten" were to grow too large or approach Saturn, leading to exaggerated headlines.
  • Another comment adds to the humor by proposing a scenario where a kitten interacts with Saturn in a playful manner, further emphasizing the lighthearted tone of the discussion.
  • A participant questions whether astronomers have more fun compared to other fields, suggesting a perception of enjoyment in the scientific community.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the humorous and whimsical nature of the naming convention, but there is no formal consensus on the implications or the broader context of fun in astronomy.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not delve into the scientific significance of the moonlets or the naming process, focusing instead on the playful aspects and participant reactions.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in the lighter side of astronomy, naming conventions in science, or those who appreciate humor in scientific discussions may find this thread engaging.

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Cosmic Kittens: Saturn Features Get Feline Names
By Hanneke Weitering, Space.com Staff Writer | September 25, 2017 07:00am ET

I f you know anything about Saturn, you probably know that it's a planet surrounded by rings. But did you know that it's also surrounded by cats?

NASA's Cassini spacecraft , which plunged into Saturn on Sept. 15, has discovered at least 60 "kittens" orbiting in Saturn's F ring. These features aren't actually young cats, but Cassini scientists have been naming them after kittens, mostly just for fun.

Saturn's kittens are a group of small clumps and baby moons, or moonlets, that occupy the planet's F ring. Like the rest of Saturn's rings, this thin outer ring is made up of countless particles that range in size. When enough of those particles bump into one another and stick together, they aggregate into larger clumps — and become eligible for a kitten name. [Photos: Saturn's Glorious Rings Up Close]

So far, the list of Saturn's kitten names includes several classics, like Fluffy, Garfield, Socks and Whiskers. These are unofficial nicknames for more-complicated (and less adorable) official titles like "Alpha Leonis Rev 9" (aka, Mittens).

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That's awesome until one of them gets too big or close to Saturn, then you get headline like "Saturn rips apart kitten."
 
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newjerseyrunner said:
That's awesome until one of them gets too big or close to Saturn, then you get headline like "Saturn rips apart kitten."
OR "Kitten knocks Saturn under the sofa, then cries for it."
 
Is it just me or do astronomers have more fun?