HOTPE - that's actually Hualalai in the background and behind it is the shadow of Mauna Kea. The picture was taken at sunrise.
8F - the phosphine is actually coming from clouds high up in the atmosphere, roughly 35 miles above the surface. The temperature there is more like a nice day in Hawaii with similar atmospheric pressure. The problem, however, is that the water in the clouds is mostly in the form of sulfuric acid, so yes, the microbes would have to be tough little buggers.
Sorry this isn't actual aliens or flying saucers, but it is one of the most, if not the most, significant discoveries in the search for extra-terrestrial life, the other being the detection of earth-like exoplanets. This may be the first real evidence that there is life elsewhere in the universe. And it comes from the Big Island of Hawaii.
PS. kalianna - the news was leaked all over the web last night, someone broke the embargo. I suspect that's why randomq knew. Even the Honolulu Star-Advertiser published the story well before the official announcemnet was made. I expect to see the report of the discovery in the Hilo Trib sometime towards the end of the week...
8F - the phosphine is actually coming from clouds high up in the atmosphere, roughly 35 miles above the surface. The temperature there is more like a nice day in Hawaii with similar atmospheric pressure. The problem, however, is that the water in the clouds is mostly in the form of sulfuric acid, so yes, the microbes would have to be tough little buggers.
Sorry this isn't actual aliens or flying saucers, but it is one of the most, if not the most, significant discoveries in the search for extra-terrestrial life, the other being the detection of earth-like exoplanets. This may be the first real evidence that there is life elsewhere in the universe. And it comes from the Big Island of Hawaii.
PS. kalianna - the news was leaked all over the web last night, someone broke the embargo. I suspect that's why randomq knew. Even the Honolulu Star-Advertiser published the story well before the official announcemnet was made. I expect to see the report of the discovery in the Hilo Trib sometime towards the end of the week...