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Credit & Copyright: Mark Garlick
(Space-art.co.uk)
Explanation:
Might it rain cold methane on Saturn's Titan?
Recent analyses of measurements taken by the
Huygen's probe that landed on
Titan in 2005 January indicate that the atmosphere is actually saturated with
methane at a height of about 8 kilometers.
Combined with observations of a
damp surface and
lakes near the poles,
some astrobiologists conclude that at least a methane drizzle is common on parts of Titan.
Other
astrobiologists reported computer models of the
clouded moon that indicate that violent methane storms
might even occur, complete with flash floods carving
channels in the landscape.
The later scenario is depicted in the above drawing of Titan.
Lighting,
as also depicted above, might well exist on Titan but has not been proven.
The findings increase speculation that a wet
Titanian surface might be hospitable to unusual
forms of life.
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NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: methane - Titan - Saturn
Publications with words: methane - Titan - Saturn
See also: