TREKS IN SCI-FI FORUM

Main Decks => Science Stuff => Topic started by: ChadH on November 11, 2009, 08:24:03 AM

Title: Crystal Caves
Post by: ChadH on November 11, 2009, 08:24:03 AM
I had seen a pic of this cave in Discover magazine several months back. Apparently the cavern had been filled with water and drained prior to exploration. The temp of is a steady 112 deg F. Those orange suits the geologists are wearing circulate cool air around their bodies. The caves are located 1000ft below the Chihuahua desert, Naica, Mexico.
Absolutely amazing!
Here's a link to more pics and info:http://crystalcaves.blogspot.com/2008/10/crystal-cave-of-giants-naica-mine.html
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: Bromptonboy on November 11, 2009, 08:28:21 AM
Wow!  Where is that?  Talk about otherworldly.
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: ChadH on November 11, 2009, 08:40:27 AM
I modified my original post to add location. It is pretty cool. Reminds me of Supermans' fortress of solitude. Although the temp is a bit warmer.
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: ChadH on November 11, 2009, 08:52:26 AM

Here's another link with more sources.
http://www.crystalinks.com/mexicolongestriver.html (http://www.crystalinks.com/mexicolongestriver.html)
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: Bromptonboy on November 11, 2009, 08:52:58 AM
Yes, it looks like a movie set or something in CGI!  Thanks for the update.
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: cosmonaut on November 11, 2009, 09:38:09 AM
Wow, this is breathtaking! It looks too good to be real, it should be the set of some fantasy/scifi epic, I love it! :)
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: Geekyfanboy on November 11, 2009, 10:01:53 AM
Wow.. that's incredible..
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: Feathers on November 12, 2009, 06:22:48 AM
The roof is red...it's on mars!

(and if the waters have been drained, were they the 'Waters of Mars'?)
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: iceman on November 12, 2009, 08:56:59 AM
|Cool Photos
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: Rico on November 12, 2009, 11:36:50 AM
That would be a great place to see in person.  Very cool.
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: Bromptonboy on November 12, 2009, 11:42:42 AM
I wonder why those guys are not using ropes?
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: Bryancd on November 12, 2009, 11:45:14 AM
Quote from: Bromptonboy on November 12, 2009, 11:42:42 AM
I wonder why those guys are not using ropes?

They actually look photoshopped in there, especially the two in the back reaching to eachother.
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: Bromptonboy on November 12, 2009, 11:50:15 AM
Quote from: Bryancd on November 12, 2009, 11:45:14 AM
Quote from: Bromptonboy on November 12, 2009, 11:42:42 AM
I wonder why those guys are not using ropes?

They actually look photoshopped in there, especially the two in the back reaching to eachother.
They must be.  The one guy looks like he is surfing without any ropes or support, and no team member close at hand.  If he slips, he would be cut to bits by those jutting crystals below.
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: cosmonaut on November 12, 2009, 12:01:52 PM
Quote from: Bromptonboy on November 12, 2009, 11:50:15 AM
Quote from: Bryancd on November 12, 2009, 11:45:14 AM
Quote from: Bromptonboy on November 12, 2009, 11:42:42 AM
I wonder why those guys are not using ropes?

They actually look photoshopped in there, especially the two in the back reaching to eachother.
They must be.  The one guy looks like he is surfing without any ropes or support, and no team member close at hand.  If he slips, he would be cut to bits by those jutting crystals below.
Maybe they aren't that slippery?
And they were about to make a photo, so they might be posing?
Found more sources on the web with more photos:
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/giant-crystal-cave-3569/ (http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/giant-crystal-cave-3569/)
Still love it!
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: ChadH on November 12, 2009, 12:04:35 PM
Thanks Cosmonaut, I was about to post that National Geographic link myself. :)
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: Bromptonboy on November 12, 2009, 12:11:25 PM
They are mind boggling photos.  It surprises me that given the heat, and obvious danger, they don't use rope.  Well, they must know their own business.  :)
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: Bryancd on November 12, 2009, 01:12:13 PM
Quote from: cosmonaut on November 12, 2009, 12:01:52 PM
Quote from: Bromptonboy on November 12, 2009, 11:50:15 AM
Quote from: Bryancd on November 12, 2009, 11:45:14 AM
Quote from: Bromptonboy on November 12, 2009, 11:42:42 AM
I wonder why those guys are not using ropes?

They actually look photoshopped in there, especially the two in the back reaching to eachother.
They must be.  The one guy looks like he is surfing without any ropes or support, and no team member close at hand.  If he slips, he would be cut to bits by those jutting crystals below.
Maybe they aren't that slippery?
And they were about to make a photo, so they might be posing?
Found more sources on the web with more photos:
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/giant-crystal-cave-3569/ (http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/giant-crystal-cave-3569/)
Still love it!

OK, that guy up top, defiantly photoshoped. Why did they do that, I wonder?
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: cosmonaut on November 12, 2009, 02:09:44 PM
Quote from: Bryancd on November 12, 2009, 01:12:13 PM
OK, that guy up top, defiantly photoshoped. Why did they do that, I wonder?
They used it as cover for their magazine, I'm sure the colors a adjusted, but would they really shop persons in? How scientific is National Geographic?
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: Meds on November 12, 2009, 02:20:43 PM
Looks like the fortress of solitude, ideal set for a Superman film :)
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: Feathers on November 12, 2009, 02:36:00 PM
I'm just wondering how they got in. Looks like they took a good lighting rig with them too!
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: cosmonaut on November 12, 2009, 02:50:53 PM
Quote from: Feathers on November 12, 2009, 02:36:00 PM
I'm just wondering how they got in. Looks like they took a good lighting rug with them too!
The lighting is the first thing I noticed, if this was a scientific expedition I'd expect to see the light sources and cables, but nothing! Wonder where they get all the electric power they needed. 
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: Bromptonboy on November 12, 2009, 03:11:18 PM
Well, obviously the power comes from the Dilithium Crystals that are close to hand.....

;)
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: cosmonaut on November 12, 2009, 04:19:15 PM
Quote from: Bromptonboy on November 12, 2009, 03:11:18 PM
Well, obviously the power comes from the Dilithium Crystals that are close to hand.....

;)
*lol*
Yes, it's so obvious, how could I miss that! :)
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: Feathers on November 13, 2009, 04:04:12 AM
Or I suppose it could simply be that all mysterious underground caves have their own diffuse light source. It's true in most films, so why not in reality too? ;)
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: Bromptonboy on November 13, 2009, 04:08:51 AM
There should be a clear sign posted - "Mind the bio-luminescent goo - if unwatched it may digest you"
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: cosmonaut on November 13, 2009, 04:37:19 AM
Quote from: Bromptonboy on November 13, 2009, 04:08:51 AM
There should be a clear sign posted - "Mind the bio-luminescent goo - if unwatched it may digest you"
Hey, did you listen to the latest DnD game with Wil Wheaton? :)


Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: Bromptonboy on November 13, 2009, 04:42:36 AM
No, where can I find that?  I have read his blogs a few times - and seen him in the newer 'Guild' episodes.
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: cosmonaut on November 13, 2009, 05:09:45 AM
Quote from: Bromptonboy on November 13, 2009, 04:42:36 AM
No, where can I find that?  I have read his blogs a few times - and seen him in the newer 'Guild' episodes.

WilW even wrote a back story to his character, Aeofel the elven avenger! :)
http://suicidegirls.com/news/geek/23601/ (http://suicidegirls.com/news/geek/23601/) (NSFW pictures on site!)
http://wilwheaton.typepad.com/wwdnbackup/2009/03/geek-in-review-the-birth-of-an-avenger.html (http://wilwheaton.typepad.com/wwdnbackup/2009/03/geek-in-review-the-birth-of-an-avenger.html)

There have been 3 games with Penny Arcade/PvP, WilW is only in 2 and 3.
Bad news is: Wizards of the Coast and internet/podcast don't mix. I wish they had an easy, accessible list with all episodes (description, comic and download), but they only sometimes get it right:
http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Article.aspx?x=dnd/4pod/20090218 (http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Article.aspx?x=dnd/4pod/20090218)

I found a working RSS feed with all episodes (3 games with 8 episodes each), but it's all mixed up.
The right order would be:
* Penny Arcade
* Penny Arcade and PvP: Series 2
* Penny Acade, PvP, Wil Wheaton: Series 3

Oh, and it has an Explizit! warning on iTunes, in case you want to know.

Hope you enjoy it! :)
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: Bromptonboy on November 13, 2009, 05:22:45 AM
Thanks, I'll check them out.  I used to play back in the university days - and really enjoyed it (perhaps too much to the detriment of my studies!)
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: cosmonaut on November 13, 2009, 05:32:27 AM
D'oh! Totally forgot to post the feed (because there's more than one, and the other doesn't work)

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/rsspodcast.xml (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/rsspodcast.xml)
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: Bryancd on November 13, 2009, 06:06:10 AM
Quote from: cosmonaut on November 12, 2009, 02:09:44 PM
They used it as cover for their magazine, I'm sure the colors a adjusted, but would they really shop persons in? How scientific is National Geographic?

They have docotred cover photo's in the past including one where they moved one of the Pyramids in Giza!
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: Bromptonboy on November 13, 2009, 06:11:25 AM
I want to see them shop this old hoax photo - so this guy is standing on one of the crystal pillars!  :)
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: Bryancd on November 13, 2009, 06:17:46 AM
Man, was that fake image done to death!
Title: Re: Crystal Caves
Post by: cosmonaut on November 13, 2009, 07:18:56 AM
Quote from: Bryancd on November 13, 2009, 06:06:10 AM
Quote from: cosmonaut on November 12, 2009, 02:09:44 PM
They used it as cover for their magazine, I'm sure the colors a adjusted, but would they really shop persons in? How scientific is National Geographic?

They have docotred cover photo's in the past including one where they moved one of the Pyramids in Giza!
That's a shame! I don't care what the do in advertisement, but I'd expect to find facts not fiction in such a magazine!  :(