Waves detected on Titan moon’s lakes
Source: bbc.com
Scientists believe they have detected the first liquid waves on the surface of another world.
The signature of isolated ripples was observed in a sea called Punga Mare on the surface of Saturn’s moon Titan.
However, these seas are filled not with water, but with hydrocarbons like methane and ethane.
These exist in their liquid state on Titan, where the surface temperature averages about -180C.
Planetary scientist Jason Barnes discussed details of his findings at the 45th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) in Texas this week.
Titan is a strange, looking-glass version of Earth with a substantial atmosphere and a seasonal cycle. Wind and rain shape the surface to form river channels, seas, dunes and shorelines.
But much of what’s familiar is also turned sideways: the moon’s mountains and dune fields are made of ice, rather than rock or sand, and liquid hydrocarbons take up many of the roles played by water on Earth.
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Read the full article at: bbc.com
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