What Is This Outer Space Object?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying an outer space object based on a provided image. Participants engage in a guessing game format, sharing hypotheses and hints related to the nature of the object, which is suggested to be linked to propulsion or plasma technology.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest the object may relate to propulsion technology, with hints to think about plasma.
  • One participant proposes it could be a toroidal fusion engine, while another mentions a plasma engine tested by Costa Rica-based scientists.
  • There are references to the object being symmetrical and possibly man-made, with speculation about its appearance resembling images from space X-ray telescopes.
  • Later contributions shift to a different image, leading to discussions about historical figures in music, with participants guessing identities based on visual clues.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about the authenticity of a daguerreotype image, questioning its historical accuracy and the photographic technology available at the time.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the identity of the outer space object, with multiple competing hypotheses presented. The discussion about the daguerreotype also reveals disagreement regarding its authenticity and the photographic processes involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the historical context of photographic technology, particularly regarding the timeline of daguerreotypes and the capabilities of early cameras. There are also unresolved questions about the specific characteristics of the outer space object in the initial image.

Evo
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The "What is It?" Game continued

This picture reminded me of our old "What is It?" game. This was in the news recently. Can anyone guess what it is? If you guess it, you or another member can post their "what is it?". It can be either a picture or a question.

I'll even give a hint "think outer space".

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/9192/thingkk2.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
need bigger picture
 
ice109 said:
need bigger picture
I tried, but on this Commodore 64, it's the best I can do. You don't know what I had to do to get this picture. You can enlarge it, you know.

BTW, can someone with better photo software please enlarge this and post it? Thanks!
 
Is it a dog chasing its tail at the speed of light?
 
This will be very cool if they can get it to work in real life. Well, they had this piece run for almost 4 hours, that's what the news was about.
 
Ok, think "propulsion".

Don't you guys look at the cool space photos on the internet?
 
How many give up or don't care?

Let's see show of hands.
 
CERN?

Nope it looks like the corridor in 2001 between the two ships but it isn't they were triangular or trapezoid I think?

Real science huh?

A toroidal fusion engine?
 
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  • #10
Think plasma.
 
  • #11
Evo said:
Think plasma.

Star shedding its outer layers?
 
  • #12
The only thing that I can come up with that was in the news recently was a plasma engine. But the pictures don't look anything like the one you posted.

Costa Rica-based scientists from the Ad Astra Rocket Company have run a Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) engine continuously for over four hours, thereby setting a new record for the tech.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/06/14/plasma_engine_test/

The outer ring in your picture seems to be segmented as if man made or a picture taken through a device that has a segmented rim.

The color looks like pictures of objects taken with an space X ray telescope.

Whatever it is it is definitely symmetrical.
 
  • #13
edward said:
The only thing that I can come up with that was in the news recently was a plasma engine. But the pictures don't look anything like the one you posted.



http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/06/14/plasma_engine_test/

The outer ring in your picture seems to be segmented as if man made or a picture taken through a device that has a segmented rim.

The color looks like pictures of objects taken with an space X ray telescope.

Whatever it is it is definitely symmetrical.
Excellent!

The picture is from their press release.

http://www.adastrarocket.com/AdAstraPressRelease061207-2.pdf

This is a great picture.

http://www.msnbc.com/modules/interactive.aspx?type=ss&launch=19810770,2&pg=2
 
  • #14
Ohh I said a fusion engine, do I get a consolation prize for being close? :smile:[/quote]Yes, I almost gave it to you, but was looking for the one that had done the 3 hour test in particular. Too picky I guess.
 
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  • #15
I'm waiting for image shack to come up so I can post another.
 
  • #16
Very cool, Evo. I guess it's edward's turn to give us another one

Here is a larger picture:
http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/8232/safari004mu0.jpg
 
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  • #17
Great pics Evo

OK here is another one. The clue is that the pic is located at newscientist.com. LOL duh, and it also involves outer space.

dn8963-1_444.jpg
 
  • #18
Hint: The sublect is very dark
 
  • #20
neutrino

Perfecto my friend, those Chanda images fascinate me.

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8963
 
  • #21
Okay, here's an obscure one compared to the earlier photos.

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/1220/wiipicsn3.jpg

This picture was in the news last year. I'm not exactly asking you identify all the people in the picture (well, you get bragging rights if you do), but the answer involves one person from the picture.

Hint: Arts
 
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  • #22
Just a stab - is the fellow with the spectacles Edgar Degas?
 
  • #23
The old man in the middle front reminds me of Schopenhauer, would that be correct?
 
  • #24
Not quite, guys. ;) Here's another hint: Music.
 
  • #26
looks like a really old Berlioz to me.
 
  • #27
Huh, in the top left, there appears to be a woman in white standing up next to the window with a hand raised to her face. Does anyone else see that?
 
  • #28
Evo said:
Huh, in the top left, there appears to be a woman in white standing up next to the window with a hand raised to her face. Does anyone else see that?

She looks vulcan, or she could be on a cell phone.
 
  • #29
Kurdt said:
She looks vulcan, or she could be on a cell phone.
Actually, it does look like she's holding something in her hand that's covering part of her face. I have a dark filter on this monitor, it's hard to see.
 
  • #30
Neither Liszt nor Berlioz. Think Classical. A further clue: No famous composers are in the picture.
 

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