Titan is the moon of Saturn, the second largest planet on our solar system, is believed to be most hospitable one. A new study by the research team led by planetary scientist at University of Hawaii noticed that Titans impact craters were hundreds of meters shallower than expected. The observation was surprising based on data from other moons. Additional impact craters that are deeper should have been present on surface of Titan. It is the only place to have an atmosphere and liquids in the river form and lakes on the surface other than Earth
Methane hydrate is a solid compound in which a larger amount of methane is trapped, which creates a solid similar to ice. Scientists believe that studying Methane hydrate would help understand the carbon cycle of Titan. Methane Clathrate hydrates of Earth are found in permafrost of Siberia and below the arctic seafloor.
The thickness of Methane rich crust suggest that interior of Titan is insulated, which makes the ice shell warm. The research team, led by the planetary scientist believed that methane gas could be trapped beneath Titan’s crust. Titan has rivers and lakes of liquid methane and ethane on the surface.
“If life exists in Titan’s ocean under the thick ice shell, any sign of life, biomarkers, would need to be up Titan’s ice shell where we can more access or view them with future missions,” said researcher Lauren Schurmeier.
Environment On Titan
Titan, which is the moon of second largest planet on solar system is believed to be the most hospitable worlds. Titan’s Nitrogen atmosphere is so dense that a human would not need a pressure suit to walk on the surface. However the nitrogen mask would be needed to get protection from frigid cold temperature, which is around 179 Celsius. The extreme cold on Titan means liquids there are composed of Ethane and Methane. Large surface is made of solid water ice on Titan.
Despite having features like Earth, the frigid temperature there would create a requirement for explorer to wear an Oxygen mask.
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