Based on calculations, Titan's methane supplies should have lasted only 10 million years, Lorenz said. "There isn't a large, exposed supply," Lorenz said. Scientists are on the lookout for plumes from an erupting volcano that may be spotted by Cassini during upcoming passes by Titan, including one scheduled for Feb. 22. Cassini is scheduled to sail over an area with possible volcanic features called Hotei Arcus. Ideally, scientists would like follow-up studies to probe Titan with ground-penetrating radar and instruments to analyze the chemical history of the moon's atmospheric methane. "Understanding how far along the chain of complexity toward life that chemistry can go in an environment like Titan will be important in understanding the origins of life throughout the universe," Lorenz said. "What we have learned in three and a half years of Titan exploration (with Cassini) is that Titan is giving up its secrets rather grudgingly," he added. "We're only getting one little secret at a time."
Related Links: Irene Klotz's blog: Free Space |
advertisement
Download Space News!
|
-
our sites
-
video
mobile
-
shop
-
stay connected
-
corporate
