Traveller-digest       Friday, August 6 1999       Volume 1999 : Number 923



(R)1996. Traveller is a registered trademark of FarFuture Enterprises.
All rights reserved.

The following topics are covered in this digest:

Atmospheres : #1 Introduction (long)
Re: Civilian BD
Re: First In subsector listing
Re: Hitchhikers Guide on CD
Re: Spacecraft Combat ratings question
Re: Hitchhikers Guide on CD
Re: Hi!
Re: Hitchhikers Guide on CD
Hi!
The Traveller Saga
Re: Hi!
FW: Auroral Lights On Io
Terra Incognita: Port Calloway, by Ralph M. Young
TAS Alien Encyclopedia

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Fri, 06 Aug 1999 20:16:00 +1000
From: "Robert O'Connor" <robocon@ozemail.com.au>
Subject: Atmospheres : #1 Introduction (long)

Part 1 : General Considerations, and Oxygen 
(with apologies to Thad Coons, whose 'Planetology 101' series was an
inspiration for these posts) :-

Atmospheres can be divided by pressure and composition.
i. Pressure
The pressure of a gas is equivalent to the force its component molecules
impart to the walls of its container. This is a function of the kinetic
and potential energy of the molecules (in a gravitational field), which
is a function of temperature.

The following expression can be derived :-

	Py = Po.exp(-ngy/8312T), where

- - Py is the gas pressure at height y ;
- - Po the pressure at some reference point (e.g. sea level);
- - n the average molecular mass of the gas mixture (e.g. air is
approximately 79% nitrogen [N2=28], 21% oxygen [O2=32], so n=28.84);
- - g acceleration due to gravity; and
- - T the absolute temperature in Kelvin (Tk = Tc + 273.15 if Tc is in
celsius degrees, Tk kelvin).

There are several units of pressure measurement.
The two units from the S.I. system are the pascal (Pa) and the bar.
	One pascal is equal to one newton of force applied to an area of one
square metre. It's a pretty small unit. Most pressures are quantified in
terms of kilo- or megapascals.
	One bar is equivalent to one standard atmosphere (atm) of pressure.
	This is equal to 101.3 kPa, 760mmHg or Torr, or 14.5 psi. The latter
two measurements are sometimes encountered in physiology or industry and
variously refer to the force exerted by a column of mercury of the given
height, or pounds force per square inch in 'Imperial' units.

In Traveller, atmospheres are divided up in the following manner based
on pressure (the following pressures are in atmospheres) :-

	  Traveller   'First In' / G:Space
Trace 	   < 0.09
Very thin  < 0.42	< 0.5
Thin       < 0.70	< 0.8
Standard   < 1.49	< 1.2
Dense      < 2.49 	< 1.5
Very dense > 2.5	>= 1.5
			superdense (e.g. Venus) > 10??

A 'high-pressure nervous syndrome' has been described. It appears to be
a function purely of ambient pressure rather than the gas mix. Symptoms
and signs include tremors, drowsiness and decreased alpha activity on
the electroencephalogram [EEG] (consistent with drowsiness!).

ii. Composition
The chemical makeup of a planet's atmosphere is a complex function of
the energy delivered by the primary, the planet's gravity and geology,
the compounds available on the planet and their properties, and the
activity of native life (if any).
	The velocity of gas molecules is a function of temperature which
depends predominantly on the energy provided by the local star. If the
gas molecules can break free of the planet's gravitational pull, they
will be lost.
	Classically, gases obey Maxwell-Boltzmann statistics ; that is, the
molecules of a given mass of gas have a range of velocities - a speed
distribution.
	Temperature is an index of the most probable velocity and the standard
deviation of the distribution. Colder gas molecules are more closely
clustered around the most probable velocity with a smaller standard
deviation than the same gas at a higher temperature. 
	For a given gas, the most probable velocity is equal to :-
	v (m/sec) = sqrt(20373T/n),
 
where T is absolute temperature and n molecular mass of
gas concerned (H2 = 2, O2 = 32, etc.)
	So at 288K (25°C) : velocity of an oxygen molecule = 387 m/sec,
velocity of a hydrogen molecule = 1548 m/sec

	Escape Velocity (m/sec) = sqrt(2 * G * R),

where G is surface gravity (1G=10ms-2), R radius in metres.
Surface gravity can be determined as per the world generation rules
you are using. It is a function of planetary mass and size.

E.g. For the earth, escape velocity = sqrt(2 X 1 X 6.4 X 10^6) = 3578
m/sec.

Hydrogen has largely escaped Earth's atmosphere because it can reach an
altitude where it can get enough of a thermal 'boost' to exceed escape
velocity. What hydrogen remains makes up most of the highest layers of
the atmosphere - the exosphere (above 600km altitude) where pressures
are on the order of 10^(-30) atm - rarefied stuff.

	Compounds available are restricted generally to those from the 'Cosmic
Top 30' list of elements. This still gives us a lot of room to move in
:-
H2, He, N2, O2, F2, Cl2, Ne, Ar and compounds of B, C, Si, P and S.

* Some definitions :-
	* Melting point :- the temperature at which a substance changes state
from solid to liquid (typically at one atmosphere ambient pressure).
	* Boiling point :- the temperature at which a substance changes state
from liquid to gas (typically at one atmosphere pressure).
	* Critical temperature :- the temperature at or above which a gas
cannot be returned to a liquid state.
	* Partial pressure :- the overall pressure exerted by a gas mixture is
the sum of the pressures exerted by the components of the mixture. Each
of these pressures is a 'partial pressure' and is proportional to the
number of gas molecules present. All partial pressures are quoted at 20
degrees Celsius unless otherwise noted.
	* Ideal gas :- one that obeys the ideal gas law :-

Pressure X Volume = number of molecules X absolute temperature X
constant

	Real gases obey a slightly modified (van deWaal's law) version of the
ideal gas law (molecules have finite size and exert attractive forces on
each other).
	* (Saturated) Vapour pressure :- the pressure exerted by the gaseous
component of a substance in equilibrium with its liquid component at a
given temperature. For example, consider water :-

Temp(C)  -10  0   5   10  15   20   25   30   37  50   75    100  200
SVP(mmHg) 2   4.6 6.5 9.2 12.8 17.5 23.8 31.8 47  92.5 289.1 760  11200

It can be seen that boiling point is attained when vapour pressure
equals atmospheric.

Note that the vapour pressure of water at 37 degrees is 47mmHg (0.06
atm). So at this ambient pressure or lower, a person's body fluids will
begin to boil.
Some form of pressure suit is therefore required for survival in
atmospheres rated 'trace' or less.

Vapour pressure curves (pressure vs temperature) are the same general
shape (roughly exponential) but obviously vary greatly between
substances.

	* Humidity : Absolute humidity is the amount of water vapour per unit
mass or volume of air at a given temperature. Relative humidity is the
ratio of the amount of water vapour present to the amount of water
vapour present at saturation for a given temperature, and is the
quantity weather reporters talk about.

	Recall that living things will change the atmosphere at first from
photosynthesis or its local equivalent, and perhaps later with
agriculture and industrial activity.

* In Traveller terms :-
The list of atmospheres given above refer to those that contain oxygen
plus other (inert) gases. Dense/high, thin/low and ellipsoid subtypes
could have a similar composition.
	Exotic, corrosive and insidious atmospheres must be made up largely of
less benign substances (the subject of subsequent posts).

** Oxygen
Data : Formula O2, molecular weight 32, melts at -219C, boils at -183C,
critical temperature -118.35C.

This highly reactive substance is essential to the survival of most
species found in Charted Space ; not very surprising, given that oxygen
is the third most common element in the universe!

Production is typically the result of photosynthesis - the conversion of
carbon dioxide to sugars. Extreme volcanic activity can liberate oxygen
from silicon and other oxides which make up most of the mass of rocky
(and more dense) planets.

Oxygen is unlikely to be present in an atmosphere in amounts in excess
of 0.26 atmospheres as it will cause dry vegetation to ignite and burn
at this level. Beyond 0.30 atmospheres partial pressure, typical
carbon-based life will readily combust if exposed to flame.

Human oxygen requirements average 0.21 atmospheres pressure ; some
groups have adapted to pressures as low as 0.11 atm (equivalent to an
elevation of 5500m on Earth - where the highest permanent settlements
are).
	A compressor is therefore a minimal requirement for atmospheres rated
'very thin' or less.

* Lack of oxygen (hypoxia)
1. Nastiness
	The human body has negligible oxygen stores breathing 0.21 atm air,
some 450mL in an adult. Resting oxygen consumption is 250mL/minute, so
this supply will last roughly two minutes.
	Reserves can be increased a factor of seven by breathing 1.0 atm oxygen
and 'washing out' all the nitrogen from the lungs.
	The effects of sudden pressure drops (on a non-acclimated person, if
acclimation is possible) :-

Effect			Oxygen Pressure (atm)	Altitude equivalent(m) 
Lose consciousness in
5 minutes			0.09			6100
2 minutes			0.08			7500
1 minute			0.07			8000
20 seconds			0.03			13700
(air mix - 21% oxygen)
Lose consciousness in
5 minutes			0.1			~14000
20 seconds			0.07			~17000
(breathing 100% oxygen) 

Breathing inert gas mixtures that don't contain oxygen will cause
unconsciousness in 20-30 seconds. Without oxygen ('hypoxic hypoxia'),
death follows from brain anoxia within 4 to 5 minutes of the onset of
unconsciousness.

2. Mountain sickness
This is a pathological adaptation to altitude.
(very likely with atmospheres rated 'thin' - adaptation is possible
during the week of jump). Most people will pass a lot of urine for the
first two to three days, some will notice that they are hyperventilating
[The depth of ventilation *doubles* with every 0.007 atm fall in the
partial pressure of oxygen!]., and that's about it.

Onset is 8-24hr after arrival, and acute mountain sickness lasts 4-8
days.

Symptoms and signs include :-
impaired judgement, drowsiness, dulled pain sensibility, irritability,
excitement, disorientation, headache, anorexia, nausea, vomitting,
tachycardia and hypertension.

Severe cases of mountain sickness lead to potentially lethal flooding of
the lungs and brain swelling - pulmonary and cerebral oedema. This is
much more likely with vigorous activity or rapid 'decompression'.

3. Features of chronic adaptation.
The main physiological changes seen are an increased red cell mass (to
maximise oxygen carrying capacity), enlarged hearts (blood is more
viscous, so it's harder to pump around) and chests (more work of
breathing being done - relative hyperventilation compared to
'low-landers').

* Oxygen excess (hyperoxia)
1. Up to 1 atm pressure
Used routinely in medicine with appropriate precautions, oxygen is a
very useful drug. It is not without its side-effects, however :-
- - drying of mouth, nose and lungs
- - reduced lung capacity ; at one atmosphere absolute pressure, 100%
oxygen will cause decreased lung volume within eight hours in previously
healthy volunteers.
	Marked diminution (15-20%) in vital capacity (lung volume) is evident
within 24 hours from absorption atelectasis (all oxygen removed from
alveoli, which therefore collapse).
- - chest pain - occurs within six to eight hours of 1.0 atm therapy.
Usually dull and associated with inspiration.
- - Within 48 hours, histological if not frank clinical evidence of
pulmonary oedema (lung flooding with inflammatory fluid) is present.
- - Premature infants are at especial risk of also developing retrolental
fibroplasia of the lens of the eye from ingrowth of blood vessels, if
exposed to 100% O2 for this length of time.

2. Hyperbaric
- - High partial pressures of oxygen leads to central nervous system
stimulation, which culminates in fitting. 
	Warning symptoms include :-
nausea and vomitting, muscle twitching, anxiety, vertigo, respiratory
changes or altered level of consciousness, sweating or behavioural
changes, and visual or auditory changes.
- - The likelihood of fitting is a function of partial pressure and
duration of exposure. Increased uptake (e.g. exercise) is another
important consideration.
- - At a partial pressure of oxygen of 4 atmospheres, fitting will occur
within 30 minutes in 50% of people. The dose response-curve rises
steeply beyond this. 
- - Hyperbaric chambers typically run with oxygen partial pressures in the
neighbourhood of 3 atmospheres. Exposure should be limited to less than
5 hours with O2 less than 3 atm pressure. Symptoms are uncommon with 5
minute air breaks for every 45 mins O2 (incidence less than 0.2%).

**Ozone
Data : Formula O3, molecular weight 48, melts at -193C, boils at -111C.

A much more reactive species than O2, ozone is commonly found in the
upper regions of standard atmospheres, where it helps attenuate stellar
ultraviolet radiation.

It is typically produced when O2 absorbs ultraviolet light or electrical
energy ; atomic oxygen (O) is formed which then combines with other O2
molecules to form ozone.

Ozone is a potent antimicrobial, and readily causes lung damage like 1.0
atm oxygen (lung inflammation and pulmonary oedema).

Level	Comments
80	Average level required to obtain 'good air quality' index
160	Average level required to obtain 'standard air quality' index
200	Abnormal lung function possible following 8 hours of exposure 
240	Abnormal lung function following 1 hour of exposure
400	Increased incidence of asthma attacks, etc. with any exposure
800	Increased risk for those with cardiorespiratory disease
1000	Healthy persons at risk. Minimise exertion, avoid any exposure.
1200	Premature death of ill and elderly. 

Ozone level is expressed in microg/m3 air at 1 atm and 25C ;
a level of 80 microg/m3 air is equal to a partial pressure of 3.1 X
10(-5)atm.

Lung function abnormalities at levels of 200 microg/m3 can persist for a
week or more.

Next post :- (not so) inert gases, and a look at carbon compounds.

Robert O'Connor
Medico, Gamer

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 06 Aug 1999 11:35:23 +0100
From: Phil Kitching <postmark.design@btinternet.com>
Subject: Re: Civilian BD

At 12:13 06/08/1999 +1000, dadams@parracity.nsw.gov.au wrote:

>Here is a challange for the gearheads out there.

<snip spec>

surely only one man could make something to this spec and still call it 
"civilian" with a straight face.

(Ditzie doesn't count - I think she'd be smiling too much during the demo.)

Phil Kitching
- --
  http://www.btinternet.com/~salvo/
  Postmark Design Bureau, Emerging Technologies Division.
 "Microwaving half-baked ideas from across the Galaxy"

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 06 Aug 1999 11:48:36 +0100
From: Phil Kitching <postmark.design@btinternet.com>
Subject: Re: First In subsector listing

At 22:10 05/08/1999 +0000, igor@truserve.com wrote:
>A fair number of people had been requestion additions and or changes to
the listing I 
>designed. The problem is, I've run out of space...
>
>So, do I:
>
>  a. Leave as is...
>  b. Take something out and add new stuff...
>  c. Develop a coding scheme (which I am against, while it is very
Traveller, it is 
>also un-GURPS).
>  d. Stop limiting myself to 80 columns.
>
>Which of these do people think is the most useful (or another one)?

either

d. Assume that even 80-column printers tend to have a condensed font
   (or graphics print mode) and go with 132 columns.

or

e. two page output - put system data (eg stars, gas giants, planets, bases)
   one page 1 and people data (eg population, government, trade) on page 2
   (or any other grouping by logic or program convienience) then people
   with 80 column printer can tape the two pages together.

   Oh and go with 72-77 columns so that it can be emailed and quoted.

   For data layouts like this multi-line text is a bit confusing.

Phil Kitching
- --
  http://www.btinternet.com/~salvo/
  Postmark Design Bureau, Emerging Technologies Division.
 "Microwaving half-baked ideas from across the Galaxy"

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 06 Aug 1999 12:06:51 +0100
From: Phil Kitching <postmark.design@btinternet.com>
Subject: Re: Hitchhikers Guide on CD

At 15:16 05/08/1999 -0400, you wrote:
>Pter, I hope you are wrong about the CDs offered.  I went ahead and
>purchased one of them..Even at all the savings I figure a cost in american
>dollars of at least 30.
>___________________________________________________________
> J-Man

I checked with the BBC via http://www.bbcshop.com/bbc_shop/

They used to do a CD set for about GBP40 (say 38) which had both series.

Now they do two CD sets - one for the first series and one for the second
- - each priced at GBP14.

Note that the CDs are the same as the audio tapes but different to the LP
(which is the same as the originally broadcast version). None of these are
the same as the video (although this is the same as the transmitted TV
version) and all are different to the books (unless you have the audio
tapes of the books - which are like the books but edited). The original
scripts might be the same as the broadcast version but I wouldn't bet on it.

Phil Kitching
- --
  http://www.btinternet.com/~salvo/
  Postmark Design Bureau, Emerging Technologies Division.
 "Microwaving half-baked ideas from across the Galaxy"

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 06 Aug 1999 12:22:56 +0100
From: Phil Kitching <postmark.design@btinternet.com>
Subject: Re: Spacecraft Combat ratings question

At 19:32 05/08/1999 -0500, Black ICE <wombat@premier.net> wrote:
>Alan Bradley wrote:
<snip>
>> >
>> > Something nearer 10kt with a spinal mount is going to be needed against
>> > proper battleships.
>> 
>> Thing is: really 'proper battleships' are likely to be battleriders -
>> non-jump capable, about 10kt, and with a spinal mount!  At this point there
>> is no difference at all between monitors (big SDBs) and battleships.
>
>I haven't tried designing battleriders using HG2 (AuricTech Shipyards is
>firmly committed to the design and production of expensive jump-drive
>ships), but I would think that a battlerider with a capital ship spinal
>mount would need to be in the 30-50 kdton range (assuming agility of 6,
>and appropriate secondary mounts).
>
>I might try to design a battlerider (using HG2) with a TIGRESS-class
>spinal mount, just for the experience.  If I can pull it off, I'll post
>it.

Depending on the secondary weapons, it can be a lot smaller than you think.

Also, when firing Meson guns, you need large numbers of weapons to get the
"to hit" rolls. You don't need the extra damage rolls (and even a factor T
doesn't give many) you just need a large number of criticals rolled (the
armour reduction alone makes victims a sitting duck for small ships with a
decent computer).

The (IIRC) J-Meson is a pretty good choice in large numbers.

Phil Kitching
- --
  http://www.btinternet.com/~salvo/
  Postmark Design Bureau, Emerging Technologies Division.
 "Microwaving half-baked ideas from across the Galaxy"

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 6 Aug 1999 07:50:09 -0400
From: "Jory Earl" <j-man@iname.com>
Subject: Re: Hitchhikers Guide on CD

Phil, so what you are saying is I bought CD copies of the radio series (as
presented on the audio tapes), of episodes 1-6.  correct?
___________________________________________________________
 J-Man
 ICQ# 2843475
 New Hampshire - U.S.A.
 Email : j-man@iname.com
 Home Page : http://www.geocities.com/~jman037/
___________________________________________________________

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 06 Aug 1999 04:57:24
From: "Douglas E. Berry" <dberry@hooked.net>
Subject: Re: Hi!

At 03:33 PM 8/5/99 -0700, you wrote:
>Hi!  This is an intro... and a big "Hi" to an old friend of mine if he's on
>here.

Greetings and felicitations, you are welcome in our tent.

>My name is Kiri Aradia Morgan, and I played Traveller in West Virginia in
>the early 80's.  Is Mike Layne, our old ref, on these lists anywhere?  ::me
>waveth::  I should probably be on Xboat most as I don't think I've ever seen
>anything post Mega-Traveller...

Xboat went kaput a few years back.

>Is there anyone playing Traveller in San Francisco now?

You're HERE?!  There's actually another Traveller player that I don't have
to drive forty miles to see?!  Oh, joyous day!

Contact me privately, I'm going to be starting some sort of game real soon
now.

>Arigatou gozaimashita...

Þú ert mjög velkominn

>Kiri

This could get confusing, since my wife is also a Kiri :)
- -- 

Douglas E. Berry  dberry@hooked.net
http://jump.to/SyleaDownport

TML Great Old One
Plague of the Traveller Riders of the Apocalypse
Chant "Gridlore" thrice to summon.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 06 Aug 1999 13:33:45 +0100
From: Phil Kitching <postmark.design@btinternet.com>
Subject: Re: Hitchhikers Guide on CD

At 07:50 06/08/1999 -0400, you wrote:
>Phil, so what you are saying is I bought CD copies of the radio series (as
>presented on the audio tapes), of episodes 1-6.  correct?
>___________________________________________________________
> J-Man
> ICQ# 2843475
> New Hampshire - U.S.A.
> Email : j-man@iname.com
> Home Page : http://www.geocities.com/~jman037/
>___________________________________________________________

almost certainly.

Phil Kitching
- --
  http://www.btinternet.com/~salvo/
  Postmark Design Bureau, Emerging Technologies Division.
 "Microwaving half-baked ideas from across the Galaxy"

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 06 Aug 1999 09:34:00 -0400
From: Ian Ferguson <ian@vax2.concordia.ca>
Subject: Hi!

Kiri Aradia Morgan writes:
>Hi!  This is an intro... and a big "Hi" to an old friend of mine if he's on
>here.
>
>My name is Kiri Aradia Morgan, and I played Traveller in West Virginia in
>the early 80's.  Is Mike Layne, our old ref, on these lists anywhere?  ::me
>waveth::  I should probably be on Xboat most as I don't think I've ever
>seen anything post Mega-Traveller...
<snipped>

	Hi, Kiri, and welcome to the list. There are a number of us here
	who know the one true faith (Classic Traveller is the only
	Traveller, and High Guard is its product). I haven't even seen
	Mega-Traveller, let alone the really blasphemous newer stuff.
	Thus, you should fit right in.

Peez

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 06 Aug 1999 06:33:17
From: "Douglas E. Berry" <dberry@hooked.net>
Subject: The Traveller Saga

The corrected version of my filk "The Traveller Saga" is now up at:

http://www.hooked.net/~dberry/saga.html

Enjoy!
- -- 

Doug Berry
dberry@hooked.net
http://www.hooked.net/~dberry

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 6 Aug 1999 09:51:21 -0400
From: "Sword Worlder" <swordworlder@clinic.net>
Subject: Re: Hi!

> Hi, Kiri, and welcome to the list. There are a number of us here
> who know the one true faith (Classic Traveller is the only
> Traveller, and High Guard is its product). I haven't even seen
> Mega-Traveller, let alone the really blasphemous newer stuff.
> Thus, you should fit right in.

Fit?  I haven't seen much effort to fit around here, and that is the best
part.  We fight and call each other names and argue and sing ing the shower
and annoy each other half to death... that's why I love this list, just like
a family to me!

Welcome, Kiri, I hope you feel at home as well.  Stop by the Classic
Traveller Resurgence pages sometime.  Join in the fun.  Come chat in IRC at
#traveller on Undernet.  We're harmless, really (give or take a few near C
rocks).  We just wear BattleDress to be fashionable!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The TRAVELLER Domain
http://www.downport.com
Colin Michael, Webslinger

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 6 Aug 1999 08:53:43 -0500 
From: "Smart, David J (David)" <dasmart@lucent.com>
Subject: FW: Auroral Lights On Io

Thought I'd send this NASA email to the list. It details some
of the aspects of Io's surface environment which could be used
for an adventure on a gas giant's moon...or a reason for PCs
to *not* land on that moon. 

Non-informative sections have been snipped.


Sent: Thursday, August 05, 1999 3:26 PM
To: galileo-release@www.jpl.nasa.gov
Subject: Auroral Lights On Io Reveal Secrets Of Jovian Moon's
         Atmosphere

<snip>
Last October, a team of American and Taiwanese space scientists
reported their discovery in images taken by the Galileo
spacecraft of colorful auroral emissions from Io during eclipse
by Jupiter. In tomorrow's issue (Aug. 6) of Science, they publish
results from an in-depth study of those images.

The tenuous atmosphere of Jupiter's moon Io partially collapses
in the darkness of the giant planet's shadow, they now find. At
the same time, bright blue glows emanating from stealthy volcanic
plumes grow even brighter.

<snip>
Io's aurorae, like those on Earth, are caused by the impact of
electrons on atmospheric gasses. Io is bathed by a swarm of charged
particles that are trapped by Jupiter's magnetic field, similar to
the Van Allen radiation belts surrounding our own planet.

In addition, a powerful electric current flows from Io to the poles
of Jupiter, caused by an enormous electrical potential some 400,000
volts generated by the motion of the jovian magnetic field past Io.
When these electrons collide with the gasses in Io's atmosphere, they
set off a dazzling light show of red, green and blue emissions bright
enough to be visible to the naked eye. The red and green glows may be
caused by neutral oxygen and sodium atoms, respectively. The bright
blue emissions are probably due to sulfur dioxide vented from volcanoes
on the moon's surface. Some of these plumes are invisible in daylight,
owing to a lack of entrained dust particles, and can only be seen
during eclipse, he added. The currents cause the gasses to light
up, much the same as the glows from florescent lamps.

Io's eerie glow dims noticeably with time as the satellite lingers in
Jupiter's shadow. The likely explanation, concludes the international
team of scientists that analyzed the pictures, is a partial collapse of
the moon's atmosphere during eclipse. Some of Io's patchy atmosphere is
derived from sulfur dioxide ice on the surface of the satellite that is
warmed by the Sun and sublimes (evaporates). This component probably
begins to recondense in the absence of sunlight during eclipse. More
surprisingly, the blue glows associated with volcanic plumes appear to
intensify while Io is in darkness. This may indicate that some of the
current flow between Io and Jupiter is conducted through the interior of
Io, particularly during periods when the atmospheric conductivity is low.

Images and further information are available at URL:
   http://pirlwww.lpl.arizona.edu/hiips/Science



(Let's hear it for the Galileo probe!)

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 6 Aug 1999 09:55:47 -0400
From: "Sword Worlder" <swordworlder@clinic.net>
Subject: Terra Incognita: Port Calloway, by Ralph M. Young

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

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For those of you with subscriptions to Pyramid magazine, be sure to =
check out this article.  Just the hokey, smuggler, pirate fodder that =
was needed to get the pirate debate back into full swing!  If you don't =
have a subscription I think that you can still see the first part of the =
article at http://www.sjgames.com/pyramid/sample.cgi?979=20

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The TRAVELLER Domain
http://www.downport.com
Colin Michael, Webslinger

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</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>For those of you with subscriptions to =
Pyramid=20
magazine, be sure to check out this article.&nbsp; Just the hokey, =
smuggler,=20
pirate fodder that was needed to get the pirate debate back into full=20
swing!&nbsp; If you don't have a subscription I think that you can still =
see the=20
first part of the article at <A=20
href=3D"http://www.sjgames.com/pyramid/sample.cgi?979">http://www.sjgames=
.com/pyramid/sample.cgi?979</A>&nbsp;</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^<BR>The =
TRAVELLER=20
Domain<BR><A =
href=3D"http://www.downport.com">http://www.downport.com</A><BR>Colin=20
Michael, Webslinger</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

- ------=_NextPart_000_0047_01BEDFF1.DB8CC220--

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 6 Aug 99 15:05:00 +0100
From: greg.aldridge@marconicomms.com
Subject: TAS Alien Encyclopedia

I am now the proud owner of

        42 von 200

After someone (sorry I don't remember who) posted the web address of
Fantasy En'Counter "www.fanen.com" (a german stockist of the encyclopedia) I just had
to spend my carefully saved pennies and get a copy.

So after a couple of e-mails and a fax, followed by a six day wait, I've finally got my
copy, and a free TNE t-shirt.

The service I have received from Fantasy En'Counter, especially Holger Willert, who was
very quick to respond to my e-mail, puts several of the 'F'LGSs that I have visited in
England to shame.

If you can spare the 250 DM and desire a copy, Fantasy En'Counter get my recommendation.

First impressions of the book...  well worth it.

I got into Traveller via the much maligned T4, so my knowledge of the alien races has
been restricted to the Aliens Archive, and more recently GT:AR1, so the encyclopedia
will substantially broaden my knowledge.  All I have to do now is find the time to read
it.

Sorry, if you consider this a waste of bandwidth, but I got so excited when it arrived
yesterday, I just had to let you all know.

Greg.


- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Greg Aldridge      | "Since light travels faster than sound, isn't
   Software Engineer,   | that why some people appear bright until you
   EASAMS Engineering   |              hear them speak?"
        Systems         |
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Email: Greg.Aldridge@marconicomms.com    Tel: 01245 353221 x4437
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
IMTU tc tm tn t4+ tg ru+ ge(+) 3i+ c+ jt au- ls+ pi ta-- he as vi sy+ so
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------

End of Traveller-digest V1999 #923
**********************************

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