Cassini spots Titan shoreline
Posted: Sun, Sep 18, 2005, 6:51 AM ET (1051 GMT)
NASA's Cassini spacecraft has observed what scientists believe is a shoreline of a past or present sea on the surface of Saturn's largest moon, Titan. Radar images taken by Cassini show what scientists have interpreted to be a shoreline separating bright and dark regions, representing regions that are rough and smooth, respectively. Brightness patterns in the dark area led scientists to believe that the region was once flooded with a liquid that has since at least partially receded. The radar images also show a set of features running through the bright terrain that may be drainage channels. Prior to Cassini's arrival scientists anticipated that some portions of Titan's surface might be covered by lakes or seas of liquid hydrocarbons, but observations to date have failed to turn up much evidence of such bodies.
NASA's Cassini spacecraft has observed what scientists believe is a shoreline of a past or present sea on the surface of Saturn's largest moon, Titan. Radar images taken by Cassini show what scientists have interpreted to be a shoreline separating bright and dark regions, representing regions that are rough and smooth, respectively. Brightness patterns in the dark area led scientists to believe that the region was once flooded with a liquid that has since at least partially receded. The radar images also show a set of features running through the bright terrain that may be drainage channels. Prior to Cassini's arrival scientists anticipated that some portions of Titan's surface might be covered by lakes or seas of liquid hydrocarbons, but observations to date have failed to turn up much evidence of such bodies.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, July 4
Coolest spacecraft ever in orbit around L2
ESA — 4:24 am ET (0824 GMT) Moonwalker Aldrin says we should colonise Mars
The Herald — 4:23 am ET (0823 GMT) Interest in space memorabilia takes a leap
Financial Times — 4:22 am ET (0822 GMT) Evidence mounts that Mars was once habitable
Arizona Republic — 4:17 am ET (0817 GMT) First Moon images sent back by Nasa orbiter show incredible details just 10ft across
The Daily Mail — 4:17 am ET (0817 GMT) |