Growing Cosmic Snowflakes

Craig Fink wrote:

3) Do snowflakes form in Earth orbit from the solar wind (hydrogen) and
upper atmospheric oxygen (O+ ions).

The very upper atmosphere is atomic oxygen, not ionic oxygen, but, no, ice
isn't going to form there. The pressure is far too low and the temperature
far too high. The highest point in the atmosphere where ice could
be stable is in the mesosphere (see: noctilucent clouds).

Paul

On Sat, 12 Aug 2006 20:49:20 -0500, Paul F. Dietz wrote:

Craig Fink wrote:

3) Do snowflakes form in Earth orbit from the solar wind (hydrogen) and
upper atmospheric oxygen (O+ ions).

The very upper atmosphere is atomic oxygen, not ionic oxygen, but, no, ice
isn't going to form there. The pressure is far too low and the temperature
far too high. The highest point in the atmosphere where ice could
be stable is in the mesosphere (see: noctilucent clouds).

True, but I was wonder about a little further out, and where in the
magnetosphere would be a likely place for Snowflakes to form. Earth, has
all the making for a Cosmic Snowflakes, O2, O, O+, H or protons.

The list of unique properties of water is getting quite long
http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/water/explan.html

One of these unique properties is that water can form ions, H2O+, H2O-,
and neutral H2O. Ionic bonding of atoms are some of the strongest bonds
that can form. So, water should be able to self nucleate.

H2O+ + H2O- = bonded 2H2O

http://massey.dur.ac.uk/drf/protoste...mistry_species

--
Craig Fink
Courtesy E-Mail Welcome @

Craig Fink wrote:
On Sat, 12 Aug 2006 20:49:20 -0500, Paul F. Dietz wrote:


Craig Fink wrote:


3) Do snowflakes form in Earth orbit from the solar wind (hydrogen) and
upper atmospheric oxygen (O+ ions).

The very upper atmosphere is atomic oxygen, not ionic oxygen, but, no, ice
isn't going to form there. The pressure is far too low and the temperature
far too high. The highest point in the atmosphere where ice could
be stable is in the mesosphere (see: noctilucent clouds).


True, but I was wonder about a little further out, and where in the
magnetosphere would be a likely place for Snowflakes to form. Earth, has
all the making for a Cosmic Snowflakes, O2, O, O+, H or protons.

Look, your idea is clearly and obviously nonsense. Any snowflake in space
near the Earth will be heated by sunlight, and will have a vapor pressure
far higher than the ambient pressure, and will disappear in short order.

(Liquid water released into space will partially boil and partially
freeze, and the 'snow' from the latter will persist for a while, but
will evaporate before too long.)

Paul

Hummm, I would have really tried hard to leave out the nonsensical
deragatory comments.

And, added that in the shadow of the Earth might be the best, coolest,
least vapor pressures...

And, tried to supply some url for everyone who...

http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/water/explan.html
Items 1,2,...there are some others that are applicable.

http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/water/phase.html
Below 200K would be a nice place.

http://massey.dur.ac.uk/drf/protoste...mistry_species
Items 12, 41 and 61

Wow, this is an interesting question.

Where within Earth's Magnetosphere would Snowflakes form?

Would it possibly look like a big fountain?

--
Craig Fink
Courtesy E-Mail Welcome @

Craig Fink wrote:

Hummm, I would have really tried hard to leave out the nonsensical
deragatory comments.

It was a desperate last-ditch attempt to get you to acquire clue.
It failed, though. Into the killfill you go.

Paul

On Tue, 15 Aug 2006 02:46:38 +0000, Craig Fink wrote:

... in the shadow of the Earth might be the best, coolest,
least vapor pressures...

http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/water/explan.html
Items 1,2,...there are some others that are applicable.

http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/water/phase.html
Below 200K would be a nice place.

http://massey.dur.ac.uk/drf/protoste...mistry_species
Items 12, 41 and 61

Wow, this is an interesting question.

Where within Earth's Magnetosphere would Snowflakes form?

Would it possibly look like a big fountain?

Here is a good read on the Magnetosphere, aurora, ...
http://meted.ucar.edu/hao/aurora/txt/x_menu.php
Since it's been a long time since I've read anything on the subject, I've
been trying to relieve my own ignorance on the it. It's really interesting
how computers and animated diagrams can improve one's understanding of a
fairly difficult subject.

The neutral sheet in the magnetosphere
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:M..._schematic.jpg
and Earth's shadow looks like the most likely place for Snow formation.

Second animation down is interesting.
http://meted.ucar.edu/hao/aurora/txt/x_a_2_0.php
The fountain part, neutral sheet, earth's shadow, magnetotail 20-25 Earth
radii extending past 200 radii with the moon orbiting past at 60
radii.

Maybe a big sputtering fountain of Cosmic Snowflakes?

--
Craig Fink
Courtesy E-Mail Welcome @

Paul

Goodbye