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Methane is not toxic; however,it is highly flammable and may form explosive mixtures with air.
As a result, methane in the atmosphere has a half life of seven years
Originally posted by OzWeatherman
I think its more likely that its from fire.
Originally posted by muzzleflash
Although I really hope you are right about this, I have questions.
These almost circular shaped objects may be fires, but doesn't smoke from fires get caught in the wind?
And doesn't it typically stream out into a line, spreading out?
Rather than forming a stationary bubble shape?
That is why I am curious...
Originally posted by Phage
First, it's important to know what kind of images we are looking at. CSTARS is using various satellites which make use of SAR (Synthetic Aperature Radar). These are not infrared images, these are not visual images. They are representations of slight differences in the surface of the ocean. They are not images of clouds or anything else in the atmosphere and they are not images of anything below the surface of the water. In effect, they can be considered to be images of ocean winds and currents.
You are right that the region covered is near Florida Keys. But you are incorrect about seeing a methane release. What you are seeing is the Keys themselves and the effects they cause on the surface of the ocean.
[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/fe10a66c47a9.gif[/atsimg]
Winds and currents often form eddies. Here is an image of an area in the Gulf of Mexico, taken from the space shuttle Atlantis in 1991. There is nothing "on" the water, all we are seeing is patterns in the reflectivity of the surface caused by waves and ripples. The same thing seen in the images from CSTARS but made visible by the angle of the sunlight.
[edit on 7/17/2010 by Phage]
Originally posted by sodakota
Blowouts would explain why the Navy high-tailed it out of there.
Originally posted by Phage
First, it's important to know what kind of images we are looking at. CSTARS is using various satellites which make use of SAR (Synthetic Aperature Radar). These are not infrared images, these are not visual images. They are representations of slight differences in the surface of the ocean. They are not images of clouds or anything else in the atmosphere and they are not images of anything below the surface of the water. In effect, they can be considered to be images of ocean winds and currents.
You are right that the region covered is near Florida Keys. But you are incorrect about seeing a methane release. What you are seeing is the Keys themselves and the effects they cause on the surface of the ocean.
[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/fe10a66c47a9.gif[/atsimg]
Winds and currents often form eddies. Here is an image of an area in the Gulf of Mexico, taken from the space shuttle Atlantis in 1991. There is nothing "on" the water, all we are seeing is patterns in the reflectivity of the surface caused by waves and ripples. The same thing seen in the images from CSTARS but made visible by the angle of the sunlight.
[edit on 7/17/2010 by Phage]