Science and Space

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Sea on Titan

New radar images from the Cassini spacecraft revealed what appears to be a very distinct shoreline, fed by meandering channels carved deeply in the surrounding terrain.

And several long sinuous channels can be seen cutting through the bright region and ending at the shoreline, suggesting the existence of an Earth-like cycle of evaporation, rainfall and river systems to carry the liquid back to the sea. But instead of water, the liquid in this case is believed to be methane, kept liquid at Titan’s -179°C. surface temperature.

Seas of liquid methane, perhaps mixed with other hydrocarbons, had long been expected on Titan, the second-largest moon in the solar system. It is also the only moon with a thick atmosphere - thicker than Earth’s.

Titan’s abundance of hydrocarbons, thick atmosphere, and now evidence for the presence of large volumes of liquid, means it is considered a close analogue of the early Earth.

Cassini’s next close flyby of Titan will take place on 26 October and will focus on the region where the landing probe Huygens hurtled down to Titan’s surface in December 2005.

posted by: kyawoo at 00:10 | link | comments |
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