Subscription Center
Feb 3, 2009 03:28 PM | 1
Titan, Saturn's largest moon, has a curious abundance of methane, both in its atmosphere and in massive liquid pools on the surface. As with Mars, the presence of the relatively short-lived compound on Titan raises questions about its origin. (Methane comes largely from biological processes on Earth, but other celestial bodies might have different primary sources for the hydrocarbon, such as subsurface geologic activity—Titan appears to be something of a long shot for sustaining life.)
Satellite data from NASA's Cassini mission continue to provide clues as to the workings of Titan's methane cycle. A new paper in Geophysical Research Letters details the latest findings from Cassini, including a vast system of hydrocarbon (methane and ethane) lakes near the poles that appear to be replenished by seasonal precipitation from storm clouds. One of the lakes, whose discovery was announced last summer, is comparable in surface area to Lake Ontario.
The ultimate source of this vast supply is still an open question—on geologic timescales Titan's methane should be destroyed by photochemical reactions, so something must be replenishing it. (A 2007 Scientific American article by planetary scientist Sushil K. Atreya of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor discusses some of the processes, both geologic and biological, that might do so.) There may be huge amounts of the stuff venting from Titan's surface, possibly pointing to chemical reactions with a subsurface ocean of water.
PHOTO OF TITAN AND ITS HAZY ATMOSPHERE: NASA/JPL/SPACE SCIENCE INSTITUTE
Tags:
planetary science,
astrobiology,
titan,
methane rain,
SETI,
astronomy,
enceladus,
methane lakes
More News Blog:
Next: Astronomers turn up smallest exoplanet yet
Previous: Daschle withdraws as HHS secretary nominee
See what we're tweeting about
cassierodenberg Me: "I'd want to be combustion girl with a pet lantern fish." And so I was rendered. http://t.co/S1KA4LcwTT
labratting Arctic bacteria; life at -16ºC in thin veins of salty water. The Scientist Magazine® http://t.co/x9XeBqw20r @TheScientistLLC
kahoakes Full details of that LED engagement ring via @io9: http://t.co/dzOjqpWPTg Good job she said yes...
Deadline: Jul 30 2013
Reward: $100,000 USD
The Seeker desires a method for producing pseudoephedrine products in such a way that it will be extremely difficult for clandestine che
Deadline: Aug 31 2013
Reward: $100,000 USD
The Geoffrey Beene Foundation Alzheimer’s Initiative (GBFAI) is launching the 2013 Geoffrey Beene Global NeuroDiscovery Challenge whose
Powered By: 
YES! Send me a free issue of Scientific American with no obligation to continue the subscription. If I like it, I will be billed for the one-year subscription.
1 Comments
Add CommentHow did those hydrocarbons develop ? Surely not by biological activities !
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisLooking forward to read about an explanation.
Dr.Kamlander@aon.at