Clanger physics and ecology

[watervole]

Have just been watching a couple of Clangers episodes and it strikes me that there is much entertainment to be had in try to generate a consistent ecology for their planet.   eg.  It appears to be dense enough to have an atmosphere in spite of its tiny radius.  However, anyone running too fast will fly off into orbit, so the gravity can't be that strong.  Why isn't all the atmosphere lost into space?  Is it regenerated by some means, or can Clangers survive with very low oxygen levels.  What is blue string pudding made of?

waveney says he'd quite enjoy discussing these crucial issues at Orbital if anyone else would be interested in being on a panel with him.  We'd obviously need to show a couple of episodes for research purposes and consider the parthenogenic nature of soup dragons.

Does anyone else fancy the idea?

Comments

[bugshaw.livejournal.com]

You know Clangers reproduce by knitting (http://www.freewebs.com/1969clangers/w1.htm#grandma_clanger)....

[asphodeline.livejournal.com]

johnrw does a very good Clanger impression and I have a little CLanger who'd love to join in :)

[johnrw.livejournal.com]

The clanger planet obviously has a small Neutronium core. The inverse square law would allow a reasonable gravity and air retaining capability whilst underground (the dustbin lids help to reduce air loss from the surface) On the surface the increased distance from the core allows a low escape velocity. The soup dragon is obvious composed of degenerate matter (to survive the hot soup and conditions in close proximity to the neutronium core.

Could be interesting!

[steverogerson.livejournal.com]

Hi John, can I put you down for this then?

[johnrw.livejournal.com]

Can do, I think a touch of the surreal will be needed by then!

[sharikkamur.livejournal.com]

I could be quite tempted by that one. I could even bring Psi-Clanger along to persuade everyone that everything we say is true... :)

[steverogerson.livejournal.com]

Hi Nik, can I put you down for this then?

[pinkdormouse.livejournal.com]

That sounds like fun. I still don't know if I'll make it to any of Orbital, but you never know...

[waveney.livejournal.com]

Inside > Outside?

Considering the apparent size of the planet when shown from afar, it could not have many caves and space. However if you peace together all the caves and regions shown in the episodes, this is clearly a lot more. Thus either the lids are gateways to another dimension, or there is a unusual force that compresses a clanger and all their possessions into a much smaller volume when inside.

Given the mass of a man, and average running speeds it should be possible to calculate the mass of the planet (from the outside) by considering events from "The rock collector". Also the radius should be determinable from the same episode. Taking both of these together the density of the planet can be obtained (as measured from the outside). Are there any other indicators to the physical properties worth considering?

[major-clanger.livejournal.com]

As I am both a Clanger and a Rocket Scientist* I feel almost obliged to offer my services...

*Well, I have an MSc in Satellite Communications Engineering, which is close enough.

[steverogerson.livejournal.com]

Hi Simon, can I put you down for this then?

[major-clanger.livejournal.com]

Yes please!