It was named after Io, who was one of Hera's priestesses, seduced by Zeus, and subsequently turned into a heifer (gotta love those Greek Gods and their sense of humor). Its atmosphere is 90% sulfur dioxide - a toxic gas released by volcanoes and certain industrial processes. Io is the most geologically active object in the Solar System. This is due to tidal heating from friction generated within Io's interior as it is pulled between Jupiter and the other 'Galilean' (ie discovered by Galileo) satellites: Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. While most satellites in the outer Solar System are composed of water ice, Io is primarily composed of silicate rock surrounding a molten iron or iron sulfide core. (Hmm, I wonder why?) Want to know more about Io? Click on the pic or go here :)
You're right. It does look like moldy cheese. Wouldn't want to live there. Interesting what it's mostly made of.
ReplyDeleteNope, me neither.
DeleteOur moon is so dead - wild to think that not all moons are like that.
ReplyDeleteI know!
DeleteOkay. This is like the 6th or 7th time I've read the word Prometheus over the last few days. Is somebody telling me something???
ReplyDeleteGo see the movie? Write about the original dude?
DeleteI wonder if it smells like cheese too? I mean with the sulphur gases and so... :)
ReplyDeletenot cheese, more like rotten eggs I would guess, or maybe low tide, which is pretty much the same smell: bad.
DeleteGreek mythology sure is complicated, and humorous at the same time, as you say.
ReplyDeleteIt was one of my favorite subjects in school. I don't think they teach it anymore - too busy testing (grrr).
DeleteShe was a real cow.
ReplyDeleteLMAO!
DeleteNot to comment on a comment (instead of the original post) but I agree - schools should focus less on the standard testing and get back to subjects that stimulate the kids' minds. Greek mythology would be a great one.
ReplyDeleteCompletely concur! And feel to comment on whatever you like here :)
DeleteIo a beautiful moon / but then I tend to have a thing for moons. Tho it may be harder to write in moon cheese than moon dust
ReplyDeleteHappy "I" Day
Inspired by Emily Dickinson today!
My mom gets me a moon calender for Christmas every year and it's one of my most favorite gifts.
DeleteYeah, I was saying in a comment earlier this morning in a blog where the post was about Icarus: I love the imaginative way the Greeks told their mythological stories. Their gods showed the pettiness of humans, that is for sure.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your post!
Yeah, I don't think I'd want them watching over me!
Deletei love planet and moon stuff!!!
ReplyDeleteThere's a singer that goes by Io too. She's pretty good.
ReplyDeleteLove the photos of this- such an interesting (sorta yucky to go along with the probable smell) variety of colors. Really enjoyed learning about this cool moon today :)
ReplyDeleteI had no idea moons could be so varied until I started researching all this stuff.
DeleteLove the back story on the Lo name. Very cool and awesome pix too.
ReplyDeletethat does look like moldy cheese! thanks for the post:)
ReplyDeleteNutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
They used to say our moon was made from green cheese. Maybe it's a them for moons? :)
ReplyDeleteIo is a fascinating moon! I didn't know the name had that much of a story behind, either.
ReplyDeleteneither did I.
DeleteCool name! Very fitting.
ReplyDelete