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Saturn's Largest Moon, Titan, Is Studied
Paris (UPI) Nov 29, 2005 Astronomers say Saturn's largest moon, Titan, resembles a primitive Earth, complete with weather systems and geological activity. The data came from the European Space Agency's Huygens probe, which landed on Titan Jan. 14, providing the first direct measurements from the moon. Among the discoveries the ESA announced Tuesday: -- Francesca Ferri and colleagues at Italy's University of Padova measured the temperature and pressure of Titan from the top of its atmosphere to the surface, which is a chilly minus -354 degrees Fahrenheit (-179 degrees Celsius). Ferri said Titan's atmosphere is divided into distinct layers, and lightning was observed. -- Michael Bird and colleagues at the University of Bonn found Titan's winds blow in the same direction as the moon rotates, and close to the surface are at walking speed. -- Marty Tomasko and colleagues at the University of Arizona described the dry riverbed and drainage channels seen during Huygens' descent -- evidence that liquid methane falls as rain or erupts from cryovolcanoes, periodically flooding the surface. The research appears at the Web site of the journal Nature. The probe, built by the European Space Agency, was named after the Dutch astronomer who discovered Titan in 1655. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express Explore The Ring World of Saturn and her moons Jupiter and its Moons The million outer planets of a star called Sol News Flash at Mercury
Titan's Rocks Of Ice
Moffett Field CA (SPX) Nov 08, 2005Huygens sent back only one picture from the surface of Titan. Some people ask, "Are there any more pictures?" They're used to the Mars rovers, where every day you get a new picture because they're moving. |
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