August 31, 2007

Japan to Blow Up Stuff Real High A rocket will be launched into the sky and release lithium vapor into the ionosphere, creating three huge red balls of light—both as big and bright as the moon—to be seen in the sky for one and a half minutes. I was interested by the graphic - is it typical to show Japan from the "north-down"?
posted by petebest 16 years ago
  • On second viewing, I would say no. As this isn't. But it could have been. Either way, what's not to love about releasing huge amounts lithium vapor into the atmosphere? It's scientifical!
  • Mmmmmm, drifting, drifting lithium vapor! ...highly reactive, corroding quickly in moist air to form a black tarnish. For this reason, lithium metal is typically stored under the cover of oil... ...higher exposure to lithium can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs, leading to pulmonary edema... ...lithium salts [are] useful as a class of mood stabilizing drugs... I can't breathe, but it doesn't bother me a bit!!
  • Japan's Weather Experiment to Shame the Moon That Moon's had it comin' for a long, looooong time...
  • Lithi-yum!
  • > a quick glimpse into the beauty that is Armageddon Which is all we could ever hope for, really.
  • Yes, but do they have lithium-flavored ice cream?
  • Japan's Weather Experiment to Shame the Moon Observe his flame, That placid dame, The Moon's Celestial Highness; There's not a trace Upon her face Of diffidence or shyness: She borrows light That, through the night, Mankind may all acclaim her! And, truth to tell, She lights up well, So I, for one, don't blame her! Ah, pray make no mistake, We are not shy; We're very wide awake, The moon and I!
  • Somewhere there's lithium That makes me swoon Somewhere there's fireballs Bright as the moon There are no balls of fire When love is far away too Till I turn blue And you love me as I love you.
  • TUM: Bravo.
  • Fire me to the moon And let me burst into some stars Let me see what asplodin’ is like As I hail ash onto your cars In other words, watch your hands In other words, darling light me Fill my can with powder And have ears ring forevermore You are all I long for Your ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ and ‘encore!’s In other words, please make room In other words, Ka-a-BOOM!
  • Would you like to sail o'er Japan, Rival moonbeams best as you can. Fill the heav'ns with light from afar - Or would you rather be an environmental nightmare created for dubious scientific reasons that when studied for more than a moment reveal themselves to be an obvious publicity stunt that has no scientific value whatsoever?
  • Ralph FTW
  • wow the flame war in that Gizmodo link is awesome