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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 Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
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:
- APOD: 2025 February 23 Á Saturn in Infrared from Cassini
- APOD: 2025 January 19 Á Titan Touchdown: Huygens Descent Movie
- APOD: 2024 December 8 Á Aurora around Saturns North Pole
- Saturn at Night
- APOD: 2024 August 27 Á Moon Eclipses Saturn
- APOD: 2024 June 23 Á The Colors of Saturn from Cassini
- A Season of Saturn