Stunning vortex appears on Saturn

[Hum]

NASA's Cassini orbiter has already taken some stunning photos of Saturn and its moons, but the latest snapshot from the multi-billion-dollar mission might be its most impressive yet. After swinging down to the southern hemisphere of Titan ? Saturn's largest moon ? the high-powered orbiter captured images of a massive vortex forming at its pole, and scientists can only guess as to why it's suddenly appeared.

The massive collection of swirling gas has gathered at Titan's south pole, which measures approximately 3,200 miles across. The whirlwind has never before been spotted, and it remains unclear how long it has been forming. Cassini ? which first arrived near Saturn in 2004 (and shot the stunning images below) ? had been orbiting the moon too far north to have captured it, until now.

Prior to this discovery, the probe spotted images of a large "hood" on Titan's north pole, which researchers believe is the result of cell convection ? a process where dense air sinks towards the surface, pushing air at its edges upwards to create clouds. As Titan's seasons change, scientists believe that the same mechanism may be at work at the moon's southern pole, but they can't be sure.

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[FrancoisC]

It's the portal from hell (from Doom :p) we're all doomed!

On a more serious note, it's s very strange sight!

[spacer]

Very cool. I love it when we find out something new about our own solar system. That vortext must be massive!

[Hum]

I blame aliens.

[Rohdekill]

It's not a tumor

[Obi-Wan Kenobi]

awesome! (Y)

[Growled Member]

An awesome if weird sight.

[FMH]

I blame Hum.

[Growled Member]

I blame Hum.

If anyone is to blame it's probably him. :D

[Hum]

Really -- it's an advanced 'polar' vortex, conveying a lot of energy.

In the future, Earth will replace fusion with a similar vortex/dimensional source of electricity.

[bj55555]

It's cool to see something like that on a terrestrial body.