Latest news with #Galileo
Time Business News
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Time Business News
Beginner's Guide on Turf Horse Races
Horse racing has long been known as the 'Sport of Kings,' combining speed, strategy, and the thrill of the wager. Among the various types of horse racing, turf racing which takes place on natural grass offers a unique challenge and charm. While on turf races may seem intimidating at first, understanding the basics can significantly boost your confidence and success. Whether you're a total beginner or just getting familiar with turf tracks, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to start smartly on turf horse races. Turf racing refers to horse races that are run on grass rather than dirt or synthetic tracks. Turf is common in Europe and popular in North America for high-stakes events like the Breeders' Cup Turf. Horses that run well on grass often require different training, have specific pedigrees, and race differently than dirt-track specialists. Softer surface , better for horses with strong endurance. , better for horses with strong endurance. More strategic , as races may favor late closers or stalkers. , as races may favor late closers or stalkers. Track condition varies greatly (firm, good, yielding, soft), affecting horse performance. Before placing any bets, you need to be familiar with the most common options. Here are the basic types: Bet on a horse to finish first. Bet on a horse to finish first or second. Bet on a horse to finish first, second, or third. Pick the first and second place horses in the correct order. Pick the first, second, and third place horses in order. Pick the top four horses in exact order. Higher risk, higher reward. Turf racing can be more unpredictable than dirt racing due to factors like weather, grass condition, and horse adaptability. That unpredictability can make more exciting but also riskier if you're not informed. Here's why turf-specific knowledge is key: Some horses excel only on turf ; check their past performances. ; check their past performances. Post position (the gate from which the horse starts) can influence the race more on turf tracks. (the gate from which the horse starts) can influence the race more on turf tracks. Pace scenarios can differ; turf races tend to favor horses that conserve energy early and close strong. Here are some beginner-friendly strategies to increase your chances of winning: Some bloodlines perform better on turf. Horses sired by top turf stallions (e.g., Galileo, War Front, or Dubawi) tend to be more successful on grass. Tip: Use websites like Equibase or DRF to view pedigree and past performances. Always check if a horse has previously raced on turf. A horse with consistent turf performances is generally a safer bet than one switching surfaces. Watch for: Wins or top-3 finishes on turf Experience on similar distances and track conditions Grass conditions are described as: Firm (dry, fast) Good (normal) Yielding/Soft (wet, slower) Some horses handle soft turf better, while others perform best on firm ground. The track condition is usually listed in race-day programs. Some jockeys and trainers specialize in turf races. For example, European jockeys often have an edge in turf events. Look for: High win percentages on turf Recent form and consistent results Turf races often favor closers horses that start near the back and surge forward at the end. However, pace and field size can influence this. Use this info to: Predict whether a horse will get a clean trip Avoid horses likely to be trapped inside in large fields Turf races can be unpredictable, especially in large on favorites may lead to small or negative returns. Instead: Look for value picks (horses with decent odds and proven turf form) Try exactas or trifectas with a mix of favorites and longshots In today's digital world, you can bet from the comfort of your home using legal platforms like: TVG TwinSpires BetAmerica Local racetracks or OTB (Off-Track) parlors Make sure the platform is licensed and legal in your area. Remember, even with great research, carries risk. Set a budget and never chase losses. The goal is to enjoy the thrill of horse racing while making informed wagers. on turf horse races adds an exciting twist to traditional racing. With variable track conditions, strategic pacing, and specialized horses, turf races offer both challenge and opportunity for new bettors. Start small, stay informed, and always check turf-specific factors before placing a bet. With a bit of research and practice, you'll be on your way to enjoying one of the most fascinating forms of horse race. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Scotsman
a day ago
- Scotsman
I fell head over heels in love with small boat sailing in the Cyclades
Marion visits the Lions of Delos | Marion Ainge for National World When it comes to sailing, I can identify a ship from a boat, says Marion Ainge. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... My father was in the Royal Navy, so port and starboard, bow and stern are terms I'm familiar with. But ask me to hoist the main sail or let go and haul and I'd be all at sea. On a seven-night Variety Cruises' motor yacht cruise from Piraeus, Athens, around the Cyclades Islands of Greece I get to know the ropes (not literally) and to love everything about small boat sailing. Arriving at Athens Airport, it's less than an hour's journey by road to the Piraeus Marina Zea harbour where we have an easy embarkation and with the blue and white flag of Greece flying, we set sail in the afternoon. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With only 26 of us on board (capacity 49) we soon bond and become our own international family at sea, with members from the USA, Australia, Slovenia, Germany, Spain, Italy and three of us from the UK. It's interesting to interact with adventurous people from different countries and cultures. The age group ranges from 24 to a sprightly, fun-loving 91-year old, Irene, who's travelling with her son. If Irene can manage the fairly steep spiral staircases between decks, almost anyone can. Variety Cruises is a family business which was established in 1949. The company gained the Passenger Line of the year Award (Greek Shipping Awards) in 2024. Our vessel, Galileo, is a 48 metre, traditional, three-masted, 30-year old motor sailer, refurbished in 2025. There are three motor sailers and five motor yachts in the fleet. Alternative voyages include Tahiti, The Seychelles, Africa, Croatia and Italy, Malta and French Polynesia. Variety Cruises' Galileo | Marion Ainge for National World Galileo has 24 cabins but don't expect a theatre with nightly West End-type shows or a swimming pool. However, you can swim almost daily in the sparkling, turquoise Aegean sea. Galileo is nothing like a cruise ship and nothing like I've ever experienced but I love it! Immediately, the warm, welcoming ambience is evident and we're greeted with a refreshing drink and smiles all around. Three decks include a lounge/dining area, lower and upper deck cabins, a bar area and a glorious, full-length sun deck with loungers, chairs and tables. My lower deck cabin is surprisingly spacious with a comfortable double bed, shower room, fridge, plenty of storage space, air conditioning and two port holes. Occasionally if there's a swell, the sea water splashes on to the port holes resembling a washing machine rinse cycle. Cabins are cleaned twice daily. In the lower cabins there may be some engine/anchor noise when the yacht sets sail during the night. Anyone concerned about this might consider booking a higher deck cabin. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The 20-strong crew are engaging, helpful and clearly happy. I think they're enjoying looking after us. Chirpy cruise director Katerina, 31, keeps us informed and updated about daily destinations and activities. Waiter, Komang from Indonesia, shows us photos of his newborn son. On a warm, starry night, Captain Nikos, 50, joins the dancing at the Sunset and Shots party. We link hands and dance in a circle to Zorba on the Greek Night. Our two very pleasant Egyptian sailors help us on and off the RIB (necessary for those, including myself, who haven't the longest stride!) which takes us to and from the beaches on almost daily swim stops – Irene can do it. Most of us wear water shoes as the shore can be pebbly when we step out and paddle the last few yards in the crystal clear Aegean sea. Sometimes we have a tiny beach to ourselves. It's mid-summer and very hot, often 32 degrees, so plenty of sun cream and hats are essential. Fins, snorkels and goggles are available. Breakfast and lunch or dinner is usually buffet style with a couple of table service days at dinner. Two long tables accommodate all the guests. Food celebrates the 'Flavours of Greece'' and is delicious, freshly cooked, varied and plentiful. At breakfast I cut a chunk of natural honeycomb to eat with Greek yogurt and Paradosiaki Tiropita traditional, rich cheese-filled flaky pastries. Fruit, biscuits and cake are available all day. Drinks are extra, but we enjoy complimentary ouzo and cocktail tasting. The island of Santorini | Marion Ainge for National World We unpack quickly and soon arrive at the first of our visits to 11 Cyclades' islands. The charming harbour town of Poros is fairly quiet with just a few people having a coffee, a cold beer or glass of wine at a seafront cafe. It's just a short stop before we set sail for uninhabited Poliegos, where we have the beach all to ourselves followed by a barbecue lunch on board. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It's so hot in volcanic, dreamy Santorini (named after Saint Irene). The Eastern Mediterranean mid- summer temperatures are always high but alternatively you can choose a Variety cruise in May/June or September/October. We're relieved that the incredible archaeological treasures of a dig at Akrotiri can be viewed in comfort as the site is covered. This popular island accommodates around 8,000 international visitors a day in peak season and around 3.4m per year. The two-hour tour is a bit of a challenge in 32 degrees, so in our free time, we take the obligatory photo of a cruise ship, which looks like a toy boat in a bath from the famous viewpoint and seek out the shade of a cafe. In Delos, just a 20-minute boat ride from Mykonos, there's little or no shade so we carry umbrellas as we wander slowly around the open archaeological site of this sacred island. Here, the huge, famous marble lions are the faithful guardians of the Sacred Lake. The island of Mykonos | Marion Ainge for National World Mykonos comes alive at night, its harbour lights twinkling as we arrive by sea bus. The harbour front cafe bars and restaurants are packed with the young, tanned and beautiful. The rest of us explore the winding, cobbled back streets, and see the famous windmills and Little Venice. Best not to look at the prices in the high end shops, though! Capital of the Cycladic islands, Syros ,is upmarket and classy with glossy, white mega yachts in the harbour. But I always look forward to going home to the comfort and familiarity of Galileo. I couldn't have imagined how much I'd enjoy this incredible adventure. Small boat cruising will certainly be on my list again. USEFUL INFORMATION Variety have a wide range of small ship island-hopping cruises throughout the Mediterranean which are available in the UK through Variety's UK agent Seafarer Cruises - website here
Scotsman
a day ago
- Scotsman
I fell head over heels in love with small boat sailing in the Cyclades
Marion visits the Lions of Delos | Marion Ainge for National World When it comes to sailing, I can identify a ship from a boat, says Marion Ainge. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... My father was in the Royal Navy, so port and starboard, bow and stern are terms I'm familiar with. But ask me to hoist the main sail or let go and haul and I'd be all at sea. On a seven-night Variety Cruises' motor yacht cruise from Piraeus, Athens, around the Cyclades Islands of Greece I get to know the ropes (not literally) and to love everything about small boat sailing. Arriving at Athens Airport, it's less than an hour's journey by road to the Piraeus Marina Zea harbour where we have an easy embarkation and with the blue and white flag of Greece flying, we set sail in the afternoon. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With only 26 of us on board (capacity 49) we soon bond and become our own international family at sea, with members from the USA, Australia, Slovenia, Germany, Spain, Italy and three of us from the UK. It's interesting to interact with adventurous people from different countries and cultures. The age group ranges from 24 to a sprightly, fun-loving 91-year old, Irene, who's travelling with her son. If Irene can manage the fairly steep spiral staircases between decks, almost anyone can. Variety Cruises is a family business which was established in 1949. The company gained the Passenger Line of the year Award (Greek Shipping Awards) in 2024. Our vessel, Galileo, is a 48 metre, traditional, three-masted, 30-year old motor sailer, refurbished in 2025. There are three motor sailers and five motor yachts in the fleet. Alternative voyages include Tahiti, The Seychelles, Africa, Croatia and Italy, Malta and French Polynesia. Variety Cruises' Galileo | Marion Ainge for National World Galileo has 24 cabins but don't expect a theatre with nightly West End-type shows or a swimming pool. However, you can swim almost daily in the sparkling, turquoise Aegean sea. Galileo is nothing like a cruise ship and nothing like I've ever experienced but I love it! Immediately, the warm, welcoming ambience is evident and we're greeted with a refreshing drink and smiles all around. Three decks include a lounge/dining area, lower and upper deck cabins, a bar area and a glorious, full-length sun deck with loungers, chairs and tables. My lower deck cabin is surprisingly spacious with a comfortable double bed, shower room, fridge, plenty of storage space, air conditioning and two port holes. Occasionally if there's a swell, the sea water splashes on to the port holes resembling a washing machine rinse cycle. Cabins are cleaned twice daily. In the lower cabins there may be some engine/anchor noise when the yacht sets sail during the night. Anyone concerned about this might consider booking a higher deck cabin. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The 20-strong crew are engaging, helpful and clearly happy. I think they're enjoying looking after us. Chirpy cruise director Katerina, 31, keeps us informed and updated about daily destinations and activities. Waiter, Komang from Indonesia, shows us photos of his newborn son. On a warm, starry night, Captain Nikos, 50, joins the dancing at the Sunset and Shots party. We link hands and dance in a circle to Zorba on the Greek Night. Our two very pleasant Egyptian sailors help us on and off the RIB (necessary for those, including myself, who haven't the longest stride!) which takes us to and from the beaches on almost daily swim stops – Irene can do it. Most of us wear water shoes as the shore can be pebbly when we step out and paddle the last few yards in the crystal clear Aegean sea. Sometimes we have a tiny beach to ourselves. It's mid-summer and very hot, often 32 degrees, so plenty of sun cream and hats are essential. Fins, snorkels and goggles are available. Breakfast and lunch or dinner is usually buffet style with a couple of table service days at dinner. Two long tables accommodate all the guests. Food celebrates the 'Flavours of Greece'' and is delicious, freshly cooked, varied and plentiful. At breakfast I cut a chunk of natural honeycomb to eat with Greek yogurt and Paradosiaki Tiropita traditional, rich cheese-filled flaky pastries. Fruit, biscuits and cake are available all day. Drinks are extra, but we enjoy complimentary ouzo and cocktail tasting. The island of Santorini | Marion Ainge for National World We unpack quickly and soon arrive at the first of our visits to 11 Cyclades' islands. The charming harbour town of Poros is fairly quiet with just a few people having a coffee, a cold beer or glass of wine at a seafront cafe. It's just a short stop before we set sail for uninhabited Poliegos, where we have the beach all to ourselves followed by a barbecue lunch on board. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It's so hot in volcanic, dreamy Santorini (named after Saint Irene). The Eastern Mediterranean mid- summer temperatures are always high but alternatively you can choose a Variety cruise in May/June or September/October. We're relieved that the incredible archaeological treasures of a dig at Akrotiri can be viewed in comfort as the site is covered. This popular island accommodates around 8,000 international visitors a day in peak season and around 3.4m per year. The two-hour tour is a bit of a challenge in 32 degrees, so in our free time, we take the obligatory photo of a cruise ship, which looks like a toy boat in a bath from the famous viewpoint and seek out the shade of a cafe. In Delos, just a 20-minute boat ride from Mykonos, there's little or no shade so we carry umbrellas as we wander slowly around the open archaeological site of this sacred island. Here, the huge, famous marble lions are the faithful guardians of the Sacred Lake. The island of Mykonos | Marion Ainge for National World Mykonos comes alive at night, its harbour lights twinkling as we arrive by sea bus. The harbour front cafe bars and restaurants are packed with the young, tanned and beautiful. The rest of us explore the winding, cobbled back streets, and see the famous windmills and Little Venice. Best not to look at the prices in the high end shops, though! Capital of the Cycladic islands, Syros ,is upmarket and classy with glossy, white mega yachts in the harbour. But I always look forward to going home to the comfort and familiarity of Galileo. I couldn't have imagined how much I'd enjoy this incredible adventure. Small boat cruising will certainly be on my list again. USEFUL INFORMATION
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Microbes in deep-sea volcanoes can help scientists learn about early life on Earth, or even life beyond our planet
People have long wondered what life was first like on Earth, and if there is life in our solar system beyond our planet. Scientists have reason to believe that some of the moons in our solar system – like Jupiter's Europa and Saturn's Enceladus – may contain deep, salty liquid oceans under an icy shell. Seafloor volcanoes could heat these moons' oceans and provide the basic chemicals needed for life. Similar deep-sea volcanoes found on Earth support microbial life that lives inside solid rock without sunlight and oxygen. Some of these microbes, called thermophiles, live at temperatures hot enough to boil water on the surface. They grow from the chemicals coming out of active volcanoes. Because these microorganisms existed before there was photosynthesis or oxygen on Earth, scientists think these deep-sea volcanoes and microbes could resemble the earliest habitats and life on Earth, and beyond. To determine if life could exist beyond Earth in these ocean worlds, NASA sent the Cassini spacecraft to orbit Saturn in 1997. The agency has also sent three spacecraft to orbit Jupiter: Galileo in 1989, Juno in 2011 and most recently Europa Clipper in 2024. These spacecraft flew and will fly close to Enceladus and Europa to measure their habitability for life using a suite of instruments. However, for planetary scientists to interpret the data they collect, they need to first understand how similar habitats function and host life on Earth. My microbiology laboratory at the University of Massachusetts Amherst studies thermophiles from hot springs at deep-sea volcanoes, also called hydrothermal vents. Diving deep for samples of life I grew up in Spokane, Washington, and had over an inch of volcanic ash land on my home when Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980. That event led to my fascination with volcanoes. Several years later, while studying oceanography in college, I collected samples from Mount St. Helens' hot springs and studied a thermophile from the site. I later collected samples at hydrothermal vents along an undersea volcanic mountain range hundreds of miles off the coast of Washington and Oregon. I have continued to study these hydrothermal vents and their microbes for nearly four decades. Submarine pilots collect the samples my team uses from hydrothermal vents using human-occupied submarines or remotely operated submersibles. These vehicles are lowered into the ocean from research ships where scientists conduct research 24 hours a day, often for weeks at a time. The samples collected include rocks and heated hydrothermal fluids that rise from cracks in the seafloor. The submarines use mechanical arms to collect the rocks and special sampling pumps and bags to collect the hydrothermal fluids. The submarines usually remain on the seafloor for about a day before returning samples to the surface. They make multiple trips to the seafloor on each expedition. Inside the solid rock of the seafloor, hydrothermal fluids as hot at 662 degrees Fahrenheit (350 Celsius) mix with cold seawater in cracks and pores of the rock. The mixture of hydrothermal fluid and seawater creates the ideal temperatures and chemical conditions that thermophiles need to live and grow. When the submarines return to the ship, scientists – including my research team – begin analyzing the chemistry, minerals and organic material like DNA in the collected water and rock samples. These samples contain live microbes that we can cultivate, so we grow the microbes we are interested in studying while on the ship. The samples provide a snapshot of how microbes live and grow in their natural environment. Thermophiles in the lab Back in my laboratory in Amherst, my research team isolates new microbes from the hydrothermal vent samples and grows them under conditions that mimic those they experience in nature. We feed them volcanic chemicals like hydrogen, carbon dioxide, sulfur and iron and measure their ability to produce compounds like methane, hydrogen sulfide and the magnetic mineral magnetite. Oxygen is typically deadly for these organisms, so we grow them in synthetic hydrothermal fluid and in sealed tubes or in large bioreactors free of oxygen. This way, we can control the temperature and chemical conditions they need for growth. From these experiments, we look for distinguishing chemical signals that these organisms produce which spacecraft or instruments that land on extraterrestrial surfaces could potentially detect. We also create computer models that best describe how we think these microbes grow and compete with other organisms in hydrothermal vents. We can apply these models to conditions we think existed on early Earth or on ocean worlds to see how these microbes might fare under those conditions. We then analyze the proteins from the thermophiles we collect to understand how these organisms function and adapt to changing environmental conditions. All this information guides our understanding of how life can exist in extreme environments on and beyond Earth. Uses for thermophiles in biotechnology In addition to providing helpful information to planetary scientists, research on thermophiles provides other benefits as well. Many of the proteins in thermophiles are new to science and useful for biotechnology. The best example of this is an enzyme called DNA polymerase, which is used to artificially replicate DNA in the lab by the polymerase chain reaction. The DNA polymerase first used for polymerase chain reaction was purified from the thermophilic bacterium Thermus aquaticus in 1976. This enzyme needs to be heat resistant for the replication technique to work. Everything from genome sequencing to clinical diagnoses, crime solving, genealogy tests and genetic engineering uses DNA polymerase. My lab and others are exploring how thermophiles can be used to degrade waste and produce commercially useful products. Some of these organisms grow on waste milk from dairy farms and brewery wastewater – materials that cause fish kills and dead zones in ponds and bays. The microbes then produce biohydrogen from the waste – a compound that can be used as an energy source. Hydrothermal vents are among the most fascinating and unusual environments on Earth. With them, windows to the first life on Earth and beyond may lie at the bottom of our oceans. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: James F. Holden, UMass Amherst Read more: Jupiter's moons hide giant subsurface oceans − Europa Clipper is one of 2 missions on their way to see if these moons could support life Scientist at work: I'm a geologist who's dived dozens of times to explore submarine volcanoes Water, weather, new worlds: Cassini mission revealed Saturn's secrets James F. Holden receives funding from NASA. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Can You Drink Saturn's Rings?
It's certainly possible to consume water sourced from the icy rings of Saturn, but doing so safely may require extra steps In November 2024 I was interviewed for a marvelous NPR podcast called Living On Earth about my latest popular science book, Under Alien Skies. While prepping for the show, one of the producers asked me a question that was so deceptively simple, so wonderfully succinct, and came from such an odd direction that I was immediately enamored with it. Can you drink Saturn's rings? After pausing for a moment to savor the question, I replied with one of my favorite responses as a scientist and science communicator: 'I don't know. But I'll try to find out.' [Sign up for Today in Science, a free daily newsletter] So I did. And to my delight, the nuanced answer I found is another personal favorite: Yes! But no. Kinda. It depends. I love this sort of answer because it arises when the science behind a seemingly easy question is very much not so simple. So please grab a frosty glass of (locally sourced) ice water, sit back and let me explain. Saturn's rings were likely first seen by Galileo in 1610. His telescope was fairly low-quality compared with modern equipment. And through its optics, all he could see were a pair of blobs, one on each side of the planet's visible face; he referred to them as Saturn's 'ears.' It wasn't until a few decades later that astronomers realized these 'ears' were actually a planet-encircling ring. Much was still unclear, but one thing was certain: the ring couldn't be solid. The speed at which an object orbits a planet depends on its distance from that world, and Saturn's ring was so wide that the inner edge would orbit much more rapidly than its outer edge, which would shear anything solid apart. Astronomers came up with a variety of different ideas for the structure, including a series of solid ringlets or even a liquid. It wasn't until the mid-1800s that the great Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell proved none of these would be stable and instead proposed what we now know to be true: the structure around Saturn was made of countless small particles, which were far too tiny to be seen individually from Earth. Further, these small objects form not just one ring but several, and these major rings are designated by letters in order of their discovery. The A ring is the outermost bright ring. Just interior to it is the bright and broad B ring, which contains most of the entire ring system's mass. Interior to that is the darker C ring, which leads down to the faint D ring that extends almost to the upper atmosphere of Saturn itself. In total these rings stretch across nearly 275,000 kilometers—two thirds of the Earth-moon distance! Despite their immense sprawl, the rings are almost impossibly flat, in many places just about 10 meters thick. Seen exactly edge-on, they look like a narrow line cutting across the planet. But what are they made of? Observations over the centuries have revealed that the main constituent of the rings is startlingly simple: water ice! Good ol' frozen H2O is extremely common in the outer solar system and makes up most of many moons and other small bodies there. In fact, in situ observations performed by the Cassini spacecraft—which orbited Saturn for more than a dozen years—showed that in some places the rings were made of almost perfectly pure water ice. Even better, most of the ring bits are a few centimeters across or smaller—the size of ice cubes, so they're already conveniently packaged. Sounds great! All you need to do then is scoop up some chunks, warm them—a lot (the average temperature of the rings is about –190 degrees Celsius)—and have yourself a nice, refreshing sip. But not so fast. This is where it gets more complicated. The spectra of the rings also show that they aren't made of absolutely pure ice. There's other material in the rings, and even though we're typically talking about contamination of less than 1 percent by mass, it's not clear what this stuff is. Scientists' best guess is that it comes from the impacts of micrometeorites, tiny particles whizzing around the outer solar system. This material is therefore likely composed of silicates (that is, rocks) or abundant metals, namely iron. Neither of these will harm you, although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends no more than 0.3 milligram of iron per liter of potable water (to avoid a metallic taste). You'd better run a magnet over your ring water before you drink it—and you should probably filter out any silicate sediments while you're at it. On the other hand, the rings' spectra suggest the presence of some unknown carbon-based contaminants as well. One likely candidate would be complex organic molecules called polycyclic aromatic compounds, or PAHs, which are relatively prevalent in space; many giant stars blow out PAH-laced winds as they die. One molecule that is commonly present in PAHs is cyanonaphthalene, which is considered carcinogenic. (It's unclear, though, how much exposure poses risks to humans—or, for that matter, whether this specific molecule actually exists in the rings.) It's best to be cautious and avoid these potential contaminants by picking your rings carefully. The abundance of water ice is highest in the outer A and middle B rings, for example, whereas the C and D rings appear to be the most contaminated. So, generally speaking, it'd probably be better to opt for ice from A or B while skipping C and D entirely. There could also be other ices in the rings, too, including frozen methane and carbon dioxide. Methane should bubble out when the ice is liquefied, and of course CO2 is what makes carbonated beverages fizzy. That might actually add a fun kick to drinking from the rings! There are other rings, too, outside the major ones we've already mentioned. For example, Saturn's icy moon Enceladus boasts dozens of geysers that blast liquid water from its interior out into space. This material forms a faint, fuzzy ring (the E ring) that, again, is mostly water ice but also contains small amounts of silicates—and noxious ammonia—so I wouldn't recommend it. Still, all in all, it looks like—if carefully curated and cleaned—Saturn's rings are indeed drinkable! How much water is there in the rings, then? The total mass of the rings is about 1.5 × 1019 kilograms, which, correcting for the density of ice and the removal of contaminants, should yield about 10 quintillion liters of water—enough to keep every human on Earth well hydrated for more than a million years. Eventually, if and when humans start to ply the interplanetary space-lanes, they'll need extraterrestrial sources of water because lifting it from Earth is difficult and expensive. Saturn's rings might someday become a popular rest stop. And, oh my, what a view visitors would have as they filled up! My thanks to my friend and outer solar system giant planet astronomer Heidi Hammel for her help with this article and to El Wilson for asking me this terrific question! Solve the daily Crossword
