whats the distribution of atomic particles in the universe?

dvictr · 15th November 2010, 07:11 PM

to the point.. are there precious metals on mars?

is it possile that a planet is made of gold/diamonds?

Puppycow · 15th November 2010, 07:34 PM

May I suggest a little light reading?

Geology of Mars^WP

Short answer is, no, Mars is not made of gold or diamonds. At least, not in any great abundance compared to the Earth.

Dinwar · 15th November 2010, 07:36 PM

Yes and yes. The odds of a planet made entirely of gold are so overwhelmingly slight that it's JUST inside the realm of possibility (we're talking A'Tuin level improbability here), but there's still a chance so it's technically possible.

As for precious metals, remember that this is an economic term, not a geologic or metallurgical term. So sure, any metal that costs a great deal more than the cost of mining it would be precious.

Humanzee · 15th November 2010, 07:58 PM

What mechanism drives the abundance of say gold in our solar system? Is it a function of the distance from the sun?

dvictr · 15th November 2010, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by Dinwar

Yes and yes. The odds of a planet made entirely of gold are so overwhelmingly slight that it's JUST inside the realm of possibility (we're talking A'Tuin level improbability here), but there's still a chance so it's technically

i waa thinking of a planet that had an abundance of gold as a percentage of its crust, like over 20%

Dinwar · 15th November 2010, 08:03 PM

Still unlikely. Silica, aluminum, iron, magnesium, etc. are far more common.

steve s · 15th November 2010, 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by dvictr

to the point.. are there precious metals on mars?

There's titanium on the moon.

Quote:

is it possile that a planet is made of gold/diamonds?

IIRC, it was in the book 2061 that Arthur Clarke wrote that the core of Jupiter was an enormous diamond. Carbon filtered its way down into the interior of the planet where the enormous pressure turned it into a diamond.

Steve S

FreshHat · 15th November 2010, 09:17 PM

Originally Posted by steve s

There's titanium on the moon.

IIRC, it was in the book 2061 that Arthur Clarke wrote that the core of Jupiter was an enormous diamond. Carbon filtered its way down into the interior of the planet where the enormous pressure turned it into a diamond.

Steve S

I've heard that the enormous gas pressure in Uranus turned the...

oops, wrong thread!

Uncayimmy · 15th November 2010, 09:27 PM

Originally Posted by Puppycow

May I suggest a little light reading?

Geology of Mars^WP

Short answer is, no, Mars is not made of gold or diamonds. At least, not in any great abundance compared to the Earth.

It's red, so wouldn't that mean rubies?

Lukraak_Sisser · 15th November 2010, 09:52 PM

Given how gravity works the likelyhood of such a planet existing is extremely low.
But if the original stellar disc would contain immense amounts of some heavy metal it could happen.

Not in the solar system though.

nathan · 15th November 2010, 11:56 PM

There was a Scientific American article a year or so ago discussing elemental abundances in solar systems. It indicated that the Oxygen/Carbon ratio might be quite variable. On Earth Oxygen dominates, but elsewhere Carbon might, leading to a graphite/diamond planet ... or maybe diamondilium

Humanzee · 16th November 2010, 12:46 AM

thx Nathan

Humanzee · 16th November 2010, 12:49 AM

tho I dont think Yivo cares much for this thread

Dancing David · 16th November 2010, 04:34 AM

I don't think we know enough about accretion to know the difference between planets yet, old models will pass.

The earth has a high proportion of iron because of the iron core of the moon creation impactor. As we explore the asteroids and even get out to the Kupier belt and Oort cloud, examine a few centaur objects and more comets, then there will be a better model.

Likely there are 'precious' metal on Mars, that could be used there.

I used to think eventually humanity might kick around metal rich asteroids.

InfidelSavant · 16th November 2010, 05:09 AM

I recall reading somewhere that it could rain diamonds on Uranus and Neptune.

http://www.spacedaily.com/news/carbon-99d.html

quarky · 19th November 2010, 07:55 PM

I worry that we'll eventually go after the moon's titanium. Its in big demand down here, and you can barely buy a bike frame made out of it these days.

But there's so much titanium on the moon, that removing it would alter our long and agreeable relationship with our moon. Like, it would go out of its normal orbit, and reek havoc with the tides, and we'd all perish over our lust for titanium, even though we could have gone with carbon fibers.

Dinwar · 19th November 2010, 07:59 PM

Just put junk back onto the Moon. There's stuff we make here that's increadibly toxic to life forms. The lack of life forms on the Moon, plus the one side no one ever sees anyway, plus the need to maintain gravitational balance, lead to a rather nice conclusion. Plus, it'd make the math for fuel easier--it'd be the same weight going both ways.

quarky · 19th November 2010, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by Dinwar

Just put junk back onto the Moon. There's stuff we make here that's increadibly toxic to life forms. The lack of life forms on the Moon, plus the one side no one ever sees anyway, plus the need to maintain gravitational balance, lead to a rather nice conclusion. Plus, it'd make the math for fuel easier--it'd be the same weight going both ways.

Like old Chevys? They would look cool up there, on blocks. Good thinking.

Andrew Wiggin · 20th November 2010, 12:13 AM

Originally Posted by Dinwar

The odds of a planet made entirely of gold are so overwhelmingly slight that it's JUST inside the realm of possibility (we're talking A'Tuin level improbability here), but there's still a chance so it's technically possible.

While Zaphod Beeblebrox did once end up on a planet made of gold, it wasn't through the use of the infinite improbability drive, but rather one of the Magrathean planet builders' sales samples.

Andrew Wiggin · 20th November 2010, 12:29 AM

Leo Frankowski came up with a plausible origin for a solid metal planet, in his book 'A Boy and his Tank'. The planet New Kashubia was a gas giant with a metal core, until its sun went nova, and blew all the gas away, then melted the metal core, boiling off all the light metals. Once the supernova had subsided, the molten metal ball solidified slowly enough to stratify into different layers, which is a lot less plausible. The whole text is available online. Here's a link to the applicable chapter. http://www.baen.com/chapters/boyt_3.htm

It's actually a fun read, although jingoistic and full of author speeches. Leo Frankowski made Heinlein look like a hippie pacifist, and wasn't afraid to use his status as an author to remind folks of his political views.

Sledge · 20th November 2010, 01:27 AM

Originally Posted by Dinwar

Just put junk back onto the Moon. There's stuff we make here that's increadibly toxic to life forms. The lack of life forms on the Moon, plus the one side no one ever sees anyway, plus the need to maintain gravitational balance, lead to a rather nice conclusion. Plus, it'd make the math for fuel easier--it'd be the same weight going both ways.

The only downside is we might end up with a really bad TV show.

15th November 2010, 07:11 PM	#1
dvictr Muse Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 793	whats the distribution of atomic particles in the universe? to the point.. are there precious metals on mars? is it possile that a planet is made of gold/diamonds?
dvictr Muse Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 793

15th November 2010, 07:34 PM	#2
Puppycow Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Japan Posts: 15,786	May I suggest a little light reading? Geology of Mars^WP Short answer is, no, Mars is not made of gold or diamonds. At least, not in any great abundance compared to the Earth.
	__________________ “Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them. With Major Major it had been all three.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

15th November 2010, 07:36 PM	#3
Dinwar Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 8,960	Yes and yes. The odds of a planet made entirely of gold are so overwhelmingly slight that it's JUST inside the realm of possibility (we're talking A'Tuin level improbability here), but there's still a chance so it's technically possible. As for precious metals, remember that this is an economic term, not a geologic or metallurgical term. So sure, any metal that costs a great deal more than the cost of mining it would be precious.
Dinwar Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 8,960	__________________ GENERATION 8: The first time you see this, copy it into your sig on any forum and add 1 to the generation. Social experiment. Ein krieg ohne feinde.

15th November 2010, 08:01 PM	#5
dvictr Muse Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 793	Originally Posted by Dinwar Yes and yes. The odds of a planet made entirely of gold are so overwhelmingly slight that it's JUST inside the realm of possibility (we're talking A'Tuin level improbability here), but there's still a chance so it's technically i waa thinking of a planet that had an abundance of gold as a percentage of its crust, like over 20%
dvictr Muse Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 793	Last edited by dvictr; 15th November 2010 at 08:02 PM.

15th November 2010, 08:03 PM	#6
Dinwar Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 8,960	Still unlikely. Silica, aluminum, iron, magnesium, etc. are far more common.
Dinwar Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 8,960	__________________ GENERATION 8: The first time you see this, copy it into your sig on any forum and add 1 to the generation. Social experiment. Ein krieg ohne feinde.

15th November 2010, 07:58 PM	#4
Humanzee Muse Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: I...hate...tapir...bones... Posts: 528	What mechanism drives the abundance of say gold in our solar system? Is it a function of the distance from the sun?

15th November 2010, 08:36 PM	#7
steve s Illuminator Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,662	Originally Posted by dvictr to the point.. are there precious metals on mars? There's titanium on the moon. Quote: is it possile that a planet is made of gold/diamonds? IIRC, it was in the book 2061 that Arthur Clarke wrote that the core of Jupiter was an enormous diamond. Carbon filtered its way down into the interior of the planet where the enormous pressure turned it into a diamond. Steve S
steve s Illuminator Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,662	__________________ "Nature abhors a moron." -- H. L. Mencken

15th November 2010, 09:17 PM	#8
FreshHat Why, You Little... Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Funky Forest Posts: 1,077	Originally Posted by steve s There's titanium on the moon. IIRC, it was in the book 2061 that Arthur Clarke wrote that the core of Jupiter was an enormous diamond. Carbon filtered its way down into the interior of the planet where the enormous pressure turned it into a diamond. Steve S I've heard that the enormous gas pressure in Uranus turned the... oops, wrong thread!
	__________________ "Pull the wool over your own eyes, and relax in the safety of your own delusions." J.R. "Bob" Dobbs

15th November 2010, 09:27 PM	#9
Uncayimmy Banned Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 7,485	Originally Posted by Puppycow May I suggest a little light reading? Geology of Mars^WP Short answer is, no, Mars is not made of gold or diamonds. At least, not in any great abundance compared to the Earth. It's red, so wouldn't that mean rubies?
Uncayimmy Banned Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 7,485

15th November 2010, 09:52 PM	#10
Lukraak_Sisser Graduate Poster Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 1,620	Given how gravity works the likelyhood of such a planet existing is extremely low. But if the original stellar disc would contain immense amounts of some heavy metal it could happen. Not in the solar system though.

15th November 2010, 11:56 PM	#11
nathan Zygoticly Phased Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Arkham City Posts: 3,169	There was a Scientific American article a year or so ago discussing elemental abundances in solar systems. It indicated that the Oxygen/Carbon ratio might be quite variable. On Earth Oxygen dominates, but elsewhere Carbon might, leading to a graphite/diamond planet ... or maybe diamondilium
	__________________ Crank works have one advantage: they don't really lose anything in translation. Skeptic That's the beauty of Paranormal claims - there are no failures, only newly discovered restrictions on the ability. Ashles

16th November 2010, 12:46 AM	#12
Humanzee Muse Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: I...hate...tapir...bones... Posts: 528	thx Nathan

16th November 2010, 12:49 AM	#13
Humanzee Muse Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: I...hate...tapir...bones... Posts: 528	tho I dont think Yivo cares much for this thread

16th November 2010, 04:34 AM	#14
Dancing David Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 34,725	I don't think we know enough about accretion to know the difference between planets yet, old models will pass. The earth has a high proportion of iron because of the iron core of the moon creation impactor. As we explore the asteroids and even get out to the Kupier belt and Oort cloud, examine a few centaur objects and more comets, then there will be a better model. Likely there are 'precious' metal on Mars, that could be used there. I used to think eventually humanity might kick around metal rich asteroids.
	__________________ Hell, dynamiting fish in a barrel is more challenging. - Ladewig I suspect you are a sandwich, metaphorically speaking. -Donn And a shot rang out. Now Space is doing time... -Ben Burch You built the toilet - don't complain when people crap in it. _Kid Eager

16th November 2010, 05:09 AM	#15
InfidelSavant Critical Thinker Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 296	I recall reading somewhere that it could rain diamonds on Uranus and Neptune. http://www.spacedaily.com/news/carbon-99d.html
	Last edited by InfidelSavant; 16th November 2010 at 05:11 AM.

19th November 2010, 07:55 PM	#16
quarky Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 20,454	I worry that we'll eventually go after the moon's titanium. Its in big demand down here, and you can barely buy a bike frame made out of it these days. But there's so much titanium on the moon, that removing it would alter our long and agreeable relationship with our moon. Like, it would go out of its normal orbit, and reek havoc with the tides, and we'd all perish over our lust for titanium, even though we could have gone with carbon fibers.
quarky Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 20,454

19th November 2010, 07:59 PM	#17
Dinwar Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 8,960	Just put junk back onto the Moon. There's stuff we make here that's increadibly toxic to life forms. The lack of life forms on the Moon, plus the one side no one ever sees anyway, plus the need to maintain gravitational balance, lead to a rather nice conclusion. Plus, it'd make the math for fuel easier--it'd be the same weight going both ways.
Dinwar Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 8,960	__________________ GENERATION 8: The first time you see this, copy it into your sig on any forum and add 1 to the generation. Social experiment. Ein krieg ohne feinde.

19th November 2010, 08:06 PM	#18
quarky Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 20,454	Originally Posted by Dinwar Just put junk back onto the Moon. There's stuff we make here that's increadibly toxic to life forms. The lack of life forms on the Moon, plus the one side no one ever sees anyway, plus the need to maintain gravitational balance, lead to a rather nice conclusion. Plus, it'd make the math for fuel easier--it'd be the same weight going both ways. Like old Chevys? They would look cool up there, on blocks. Good thinking.
quarky Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 20,454

20th November 2010, 12:13 AM	#19
Andrew Wiggin Master Poster Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: A small planet named for its dirt. You'll find it filed under 'mostly harmless' Posts: 2,914	Originally Posted by Dinwar The odds of a planet made entirely of gold are so overwhelmingly slight that it's JUST inside the realm of possibility (we're talking A'Tuin level improbability here), but there's still a chance so it's technically possible. While Zaphod Beeblebrox did once end up on a planet made of gold, it wasn't through the use of the infinite improbability drive, but rather one of the Magrathean planet builders' sales samples.
	__________________ "Everyone takes the limits of his own vision for the limits of the world." - Arthur Schopenhauer "New and stirring things are belittled because if they are not belittled, the humiliating question arises, 'Why then are you not taking part in them?' " - H. G. Wells Last edited by Andrew Wiggin; 20th November 2010 at 12:14 AM. Reason: Fixed my quotes

20th November 2010, 12:29 AM	#20
Andrew Wiggin Master Poster Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: A small planet named for its dirt. You'll find it filed under 'mostly harmless' Posts: 2,914	Leo Frankowski came up with a plausible origin for a solid metal planet, in his book 'A Boy and his Tank'. The planet New Kashubia was a gas giant with a metal core, until its sun went nova, and blew all the gas away, then melted the metal core, boiling off all the light metals. Once the supernova had subsided, the molten metal ball solidified slowly enough to stratify into different layers, which is a lot less plausible. The whole text is available online. Here's a link to the applicable chapter. http://www.baen.com/chapters/boyt_3.htm It's actually a fun read, although jingoistic and full of author speeches. Leo Frankowski made Heinlein look like a hippie pacifist, and wasn't afraid to use his status as an author to remind folks of his political views.
	__________________ "Everyone takes the limits of his own vision for the limits of the world." - Arthur Schopenhauer "New and stirring things are belittled because if they are not belittled, the humiliating question arises, 'Why then are you not taking part in them?' " - H. G. Wells

20th November 2010, 01:27 AM	#21
Sledge Grammaton Cleric Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Swingin' on a star Posts: 7,123	Originally Posted by Dinwar Just put junk back onto the Moon. There's stuff we make here that's increadibly toxic to life forms. The lack of life forms on the Moon, plus the one side no one ever sees anyway, plus the need to maintain gravitational balance, lead to a rather nice conclusion. Plus, it'd make the math for fuel easier--it'd be the same weight going both ways. The only downside is we might end up with a really bad TV show.
	__________________ "The perfect haiku would have just two syllables: Airwolf" ~ Ernest Cline "Science knows it doesn't know everything, otherwise it would stop" ~ Dara O'Briain.