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Electrostatic discharge patterns in a thin layer of dust on a CRT are similar in many ways to some enigmatic features seen on certain moons and planets. This simple experiment may help explain those planetary surface features. Without a testable explanation, our understanding of solar system history is questionable. Spidery markings, seen for example on Mercury and the Moon, are among the most puzzling of planetary features. These spidery channels are rounded depressions radiating from a central depression or crater. However, a closer look reveals a resemblance to laboratory electric discharge patterns. Electrical discharge patterns take many forms, which have been shown to be scalable from the laboratory to the cosmic scale. The radials have been seen in experiments to be the result of surficial leader-strokes of an electric discharge, which may with higher currents form other features such as crater chains. We propose that there is an electrical cause for many surface features seen throughout the solar system. The approach taken here is an empirical investigation of plasma discharge effects on various surfaces that provide a parallel to planetary surfaces . Experiments with electrostatic discharge to a dust covered CRT produced the following features which match similar planetary markings in great detail.

Static Discharge patterns, seen in a thin layer of dust on a CRT, have a striking resemblance to many features seen on moons and asteroids. What might this low tech experiment reveal about how some planetary surface features are formed? Many features on moons and asteroids are hard to explain through the mechanism of an impact. The anomalies are numerous but the most obvious challenge is chained craters which appear to overlap each other or lay in very close linear proximity. Crater chains, seen on solid bodies in this region of space, are comprised of a series of semi-circular patterns, similar to a weld bead yet spaced in a manner that results in the semi-circles being formed with approximately 60% or more of the circle's perimeter still visible. In a crater chain there is always a completely circular crater at one end. The symmetry of all the exposed perimeters is generally well preserved. Impact explanations face several problems. A chain of craters, formed by impacts, would require a chain of objects to strike the surface in quick succession and in a straight line, something that did not occur in the case of Shoemaker-Levy 9, the usual example given as a possible cause. Also, the subsequent impacts would destroy the clarity of previously formed crater rims, observed crater chains involve virtually no such disturbance.

Considering the consistent appearance of crater chains, there are too many details that are not answerable through the impact theory for it to be valid for these features. Experiments with static discharge, to a dust covered CRT, offers another tool to help understand the formation of crater chains, in particular, and potentially other crater features as well.

http://members.cybertrails.com/~zrwoaz/Static_Discharge_Pattern.html

On numerous occasions during an eight year period of observation of the celestial neighborhood of the earth, from 1998 to 2006, while its neighbors (Mars, Venus and the moon) passed in proximity during their orbits they also came into close alignment at varying angles to the outbound solar flow and the heliospheric current system. At the time of these passages severe terrestrial weather events occurred. These observations exposed a puzzle that may point to potential influence to terrestrial weather from orbital relationships. This possibility deserves close evaluation and thoughtful consideration from the space-plasma perspective.