General science thread

they've got a mad scientist division.

Quote:

The Department of Defense’s mad scientist division is looking to develop a plane that can also harness the “wing-in-ground” effect.
Nicknamed “Liberty Lifter,” the aircraft would skim the surface of the ocean for tremendous distances.
The goal is an aircraft that can deliver heavy transport cargoes to remote islands and naval bases.

Trivia question, multiple choice, no fair looking it up of course

As Voyager II exited the Heliopause, about 11 billion miles from Earth, the temperature of space there surprised scientists. What was it?

a] barely above absolute zero
b] about the freezing point of water
c] about the same as the surface of the sun, just under 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit
d] over 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit

Is two the one sending out wacky info currently? That's what I heard about one of them. I don't see how it could be c or d and be for real.

Quote: rxwine

Is two the one sending out wacky info currently? That's what I heard about one of them. I don't see how it could be c or d and be for real.

I'll reveal my source, which does not indicate suspected bad data

...because it would melt or vaporize at 50000

Quote: rxwine

...because it would melt or vaporize at 50000

hint #1, take a lighter that has no fluid and won't light, but the flint still makes sparks. That temperature in the spark is about 1000 degrees Fahrenheit IIRC. Now try to burn yourself with that spark.

"When struck with a harder material, the mixture produces hot sparks that can reach temperatures of 3,315 °C (6,000 °F)....

Ferrocerium - Wikipedia"

is this making more or less confusing?

Did it record a meteorite strike? Solar flare? Alien ray gun?

Hint #2

Scientists are willing to measure the temperature of gases/atmosphere as well as solids, liquids. The upper layer of the atmosphere is called the Thermosphere, so named for a reason. The International Space Station orbits in the Thermosphere.

I have even fewer good guesses than answers.