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If Earth had Saturn’s Rings

From an excellent post by Jason Davis

From Washington, D.C., the rings would only fill a portion of the sky, but appear striking nonetheless. Here, we see them at sunrise.

From Guatemala, only 14 degrees above the equator, the rings would begin to stretch across the horizon. Their reflected light would make the moon much brighter.

From Earth’s equator, Saturn’s rings would be viewed edge-on, appearing as a thin, bright line bisecting the sky.

At the March and September equinoxes, the Sun would be positioned directly over the rings, casting a dramatic shadow at the equator.

At midnight at the Tropic of Capricorn, which sits at 23 degrees south latitude, the Earth casts a shadow over the middle of the rings, while the outer portions remain lit.

via x

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Technically, Mars has been taken over by robots

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Constellations.

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Christian Hoogwerf

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You know, in all those “humans are the creepy/fucked up alien species” posts I can’t believe we haven’t touched on organ donation yet. 

 When they heard that the human general had fallen ill to a disease of the organ known as the liver the troops began to hope that it might turn the tide of the war. Research indicated that such diseases could be fatal after all. The organ did something similar to the flagulaxin in that it filtered out toxins so when it stopped functioning the human would slowly be poisoned to death by his own body. Or so they believed.

But then he came back.

A foot soldier was captured and answers demanded. Was it a medication? Had the sickeness been a ruse to fool them?

“Nah, man. This kid on a motorcycle wiped out on the I9 freeway so they gave the general his liver since they were a match.”

“They…what?”

“They gave him his liver. The kid was dead, and he was an organ donor. And he was a genetic match to the general.”

“They…cut the liver out of one of your young and placed it in an elder and it…worked?”

“I mean, he wasn’t that young. Mid twenties or something. But yeah, that’s essentially it.”

The interrogator and his assistant both regurgitated their most recent meal and ran from the room. Living in places like the “Australia” were one thing, but taking the organs of dead bodies and placing them in the living? What was WRONG with this species?

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If you save, like or reblog, please.

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Okay, but, when we send cremated remains into space do we send an explanation with them? Because I’m just picturing some aliens cracking open a satellite and being really fucking confused.

“Human guide! Our scans indicate that this probe contains a cylinder full of ash and human bone fragments. I assume this deconstruction of form is a way for your species to travel greater distances through the stars due to your limited capacity for large spaceships and distance travel. Quite similar to the Quaxilains from the Centuri district of the galaxy, though I did not know your species had reached such advancements yet. Please instruct us in how to revive your colleague so we may interrogate him as well.”

“No, dude, whoever that was is dead. Probably some astronaut or scientist who paid to have their cremated remains shot into space once they died.”

“You told us that your species buried your dead, why did you lie to us?”

“No, I said that MY family buried our relatives. Never said the whole species did it. Sometimes we burn them, then scatter their ashes in places they loved, plant them with a tree, use them to make diamonds, shoot them into space, whatever. Lotta options.”

“I had no idea your death rituals were so…extensive.”

“Just wait until I tell you about mummification.”

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I Had a Great Idea

for a Humans are Weird story.

So human babies REALLY need to be touched. Its totally critical for development. Small babies can literally die if you don’t cuddle them enough.

But imagine that the aliens are more like reptiles, in that they just sort of hatch and their parents feed them or stay around (and presumably, like, educate them, since they’re intelligent aliens), but don’t carry them around or cuddle in the same way.

So one of them gets stuck with a human baby that they’re responsible for and of course, they go ask a xenobiologist or someone ‘what do you do for a human baby, they’re all weird and squishy’.

And the scientist says: well, you have to stroke them. Like actually pick them up and stroke their skin.

Why, says the alien, what could that possibly accomplish. Does it make their skin tougher. Will they grow proper scales.

No, no, that’s just what human skin is like, you just… you have stroke them or they won’t grow right. They get a stroking-deficiency and can die.

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“Humans are weird” idea

It seems to always be the case that aliens have names that are “unpronounceable by the human tongue.”  But, y’know, humans are actually really good mimics.  We can do impressions of anything, and some of us are really good at it.  What if that was a special skill of ours that was constantly surprising the aliens?

Alien talks about human like s/he’s not there, only to be shocked when its own language comes out of that strange little mouth.

Alien can’t figure out WHAT that noise onboard is, only to find human crewmate pranking it.  (“As soon as he leaves, I’m gonna do the sound of a failing hover engine, okay?  Just see where he looks first!”)

Alien hears a different noise and a thud, then “Sorry, I tripped.”  (”But you squeaked.”  “Yeah, didn’t mean to.  Sounded kinda dumb.”)

Alien is alarmed to hear the sound of two Dangerous Animals coming from the containment room.  Thinks the one has multiplied.  Runs in, find human yowling back at it.  (“It seemed lonely, so I was talking to it.  Reminds me of a cat I had once.”)

The away team is threatened by a Large Animal protecting its young.  Alien Captain knows what to do.  Shoves the human up front and points.  “Make the noises that the little ones are making.  This is your time to shine.”

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Humans are adorable.

Supporting evidence:

1. Humans say ‘ow’, even if they haven’t actually been hurt. It’s just a thing they say when they think they might have been hurt, but aren’t sure yet.

2. Humans collect shiny things and decorate their bodies and nests with them. The shinier the better, although each individual has a unique taste for style and colouring

3. Humans are not an aquatic or even amphibious species, but they flock to bodies of water simply to play in it. They can’t even hold their breath all that long; they just love to splash!

4. When night falls and the sky goes dark, humans become drowsy and begin to cocoon themselves in soft, fluffy bedding.

5. Some humans spend time in each other’s nests! Just for fun! It’s not their nest; they’re just visiting each other.

6. Some humans use pigments and dyes to make their bodies flashy and colourful! They even attach shiny dangly bits to their cartalidgous membranes!

7. Humans are very clever, and sometimes adopt creatures from other species into their family units. They don’t seem to notice the obvious differences, and often raise them alongside their own young!

8. If a human sees another creature in distress, they can commonly be observed trying to help! Even at their own risk, most humans are deeply compassionate creatures!

9. If a human hears a particularity catchy sound or tune, it will often mimic it, even to the point of annoying themselves!

10. Sneezes are entirely involuntary, and completely adorable. Especially when the human in question becomes frustrated

11. Humans love treats!!! Some more than others. Many humans will save these treats specifically for a later date when they are in need of comfort or reassurance. IE, pickles, pop tarts, Popsicles, etc

12. They’re learning to travel in space!!! They can’t get very far, but they’re trying!!! So far, they’ve made it to the end of their yard, and have found rocks

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TRAPPIST - 1 by Guillem H. Pongiluppi

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to add to this “humans are weird” thing did you know that humans are the only species on earth with the ability to throw things with any significant degree of accuracy and force (apes can throw with about the force of a human ten year old, but cant lock their wrists well enough for accuracy)

and we just never really think about it bc its so easy and simple to us that pretty much all of our sports are based around the concept of throwing things accurately

so what if the concept of projectile weapons takes most species FOREVER to get the hang of, or even come up with in the first place. a human goes onto a ship and throws some trash into the nearest reclaimer, shouts “kobe!” and all the other aliens on board absolutely LOSE THEIR MINDS

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You approach your hand from his but you do not what he was expecting. You slowly brushes your fingertips on his wrist and all along his hand until his fingertips, while looking into his eyes.

(You gain 5 points of sociability - and 10 points with Sirius !)

He blushes to death, but you are not sure what redness means for his species.

You are nearly sure Sirius is a human. He seems to young to be earthborn. He has some shiny blond hair, light blue eyes, pale skin and a really cute smile. If you remember correctly the caracteristics of this species, he is a male.

''Uuh ... I ... I'' he opens his mouth to speak but he seems to have difficulties. Oh, you think you remember what a redface means for humans.

A.Your time to blush.

B.Gently make fun of him.

C.Play with him just a little more.

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Blushing is different for your kind, it is a resurgence of etheral substance on your chicks, that makes them a litlle more bright. He seems to notice it and blush a little more if it is possible.

(You gain 5 points with Sirius)

After a slightly awkward moment, he clears his throat and realize something kind of important :

''So, what do we do about your name ? Do you remember it yet ?''

You shake your head and don't know what to do ...

''Hmm ... We could give you a new one ? I wouldn't like to call you patient 56.79 ... Any idea ?''

Well ... that is a good question. You can’t help but look at him, especially his eyes. and yes their color is pleasing you.

''Cyan. '' you say.

''Cyan ...  yeah, that suits you perfectly.'' Sirius says. You are pretty sure that is a compliment.

Then he goes back to the door and turns toward you : ''Come, I'll show you around.''

You slept well and long, you don't feel any tiredness, so you follow him outside.

''We are in the Circa hospital, that's the main care center of the Citadel. It is quite known in this part of the galaxy, we've got some good experts. Oh, by the way, you asked what is the Citadel and McKinley didn't let me time to answer, so basically the Citadel is a refuge for any pacific species in the Confederations' galaxies and in the outer space, you might meet a lot of different kind of people here. Originally it was a space station, but they made some modifications over time. Now it is a gigantic tower, divided in three parts : upright it's the subpatial part, that's an observatory, they are looking into the deep space to discover some new viable planets or people, but they are also watching our back and they warn us if anyone wants to attack us. The hospital is in the second part, it's mostly residential, but we have also any necessary facilities, to grow food etc. And underneath there is the submarine and underground part, that's more or less the functionning heart of the whole station, but we also store things down there.''

To resist the ocean, the wind, the orbit and the sismic activity, this station must be really solid, large and maintained. You easily imagine what problem could damage it. That is pretty impressive.

A.You let him know you are amazed and ask further questions.

B.You don't really care about the station, you try to know more about him.

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You smile back at him, and you both get closer to each others.

''As it is the Long Night, it will grant us time to find the sunscreen Diaphans need, and you have the authorization to go out of your room, as long as I am here to watch over you. That might look a little resticting for you, but it is only to prevent you to get hurt if you faint or if you feel ill. My name is Sirius.''

He holds out his hand to you.

A.Hold his hand. He must want to say hello.

B.Hummm what is this strange custom ? Hesitate but hold his hand.

C.To say hello, your kind only brush their hands together. You do that.

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Maybe they are hiding something from you, maybe they are not, you can't do much anyway so you try to get over it and stop overthinking about it.

The doctor is finally done with your check up, so he leaves, warning you that the planet rotation scheme is 34 Earth-Days (ED). That is amazing ! You won't have to face the sunlight in something like 34 ED ! That will be a great night !

The sergent is not missing your visible joy, and he can't help but smile to you.

He seems nice.

A.He does indeed. You should try to befriend.

B.He seems too nice. You don't like him.

C.You don't really care, you can handle him.

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You try to hide they surprised you and look back at the ocean. "What is the Citadel?" you ask them.

They both take a breath but the doctor is the fastest to speak and he says your questions will have to wait until all his have an answer. He once again checks on you, thank god he doesn't ask you to be naked this time, gives you some medication again and finally asks you if you retrieve some memories.

As you say you don't, he doesn't look surprised. You frown, he justifies himself by saying it is pretty common in case like yours. You notice the sergent is staring at him, but he quits when he catches your eyes. You start to feel there is really something hidden from you.

A.You don't like it, maybe they are hostile.

B.You are curious, maybe that could help you retrieve memory ?

C.Maybe you are just overthinking ...