The atmosphere on Titan could be identical to that of the early Earth
April 8th 2008 03:51
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Titan is the largest moon of Saturn, and the only moon in the Solar System with a dense atmosphere.
The atmosphere on Titan could be identical to that of the early Earth when life started to evolve.The orange haze surrounding the globe could conceal carbon-rich lakes, oceans and storms of chemical rain.
the Huygens probe landed a large ice plain on landing It sent back images of what looked like drainage canals leading into a dark lake or sea.
Titan may be the only place, other than the Earth, that has liquid running across its surface. Unlike Titan, the Earth’s surface in mostly water, Titan's lakes would be made of liquid methane or ethane.
Titan is a cold world. At 1,200 million km away from the Sun, the surface is a chilly -180ºC. Any water would be frozen solid. Any chemical reactions would happen at a very slow pace. Scientists are still puzzled by a strange radio signal the probe detected this signal may indicate a vast underground ocean.
Further study suggests that the moon's icy crust was decoupled from its core by an internal ocean, making it easier for the crust to move. When the our Sun dies it will enlarge engulfing the inner planets Mercury Venus, Earth’s will no longer have oceans the outer planets will be subjected to more heat and perhaps titan will become inhabited with life forms some time in the distant future.
images: courtesy of NASA/JPL
The atmosphere on Titan could be identical to that of the early Earth when life started to evolve.The orange haze surrounding the globe could conceal carbon-rich lakes, oceans and storms of chemical rain.
The orange haze surrounding the globe could conceal carbon-rich lakes and oceans
the Huygens probe landed a large ice plain on landing It sent back images of what looked like drainage canals leading into a dark lake or sea.
Titan may be the only place, other than the Earth, that has liquid running across its surface. Unlike Titan, the Earth’s surface in mostly water, Titan's lakes would be made of liquid methane or ethane.
Titan is a cold world. At 1,200 million km away from the Sun, the surface is a chilly -180ºC. Any water would be frozen solid. Any chemical reactions would happen at a very slow pace. Scientists are still puzzled by a strange radio signal the probe detected this signal may indicate a vast underground ocean.
Cassini's radar shows an impact crater with a diameter of 30 kilometers on the surface of Saturn's moon Titan
This Synthetic Aperture Radar image of the surface of Saturn's moon Titan was obtained by the Cassini spacecraft. The image seems to be topographically high terrain that is cut by channels and bays.
Further study suggests that the moon's icy crust was decoupled from its core by an internal ocean, making it easier for the crust to move. When the our Sun dies it will enlarge engulfing the inner planets Mercury Venus, Earth’s will no longer have oceans the outer planets will be subjected to more heat and perhaps titan will become inhabited with life forms some time in the distant future.
images: courtesy of NASA/JPL
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