The surface of Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, is rich in organics and is often suggested to model early Earth environments.
Titan
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report, Titan
Observations of Titan’s Stratosphere During Northern Summer: Temperatures, CH3CN and CH3D Abundances
Titan’s atmospheric composition and dynamical state have previously been studied over numerous epochs by both ground- and space-based facilities.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report, Titan
Capillary Processes In Extraterrestrial Contexts
The Earth is no longer the only known celestial body containing one or more liquid phases.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Saturn, Titan
Dragonfly Rotorcraft Astrobiology Mission To Titan Confirmed
NASA has confirmed its Dragonfly rotorcraft mission to Saturn’s organic-rich moon Titan. The decision allows the mission to progress to completion of final design, followed by the construction and testing […]
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release, Titan
Titan Is A Testing Ground To Gain A Better Understanding Of The Methane Molecule
New study uses Titan’s atmosphere as a natural laboratory to delve deeper into the chemistry of the methane molecule – a molecule that, on Earth, may be a byproduct of […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release, Titan
Towards Prebiotic Chemistry On Titan: Impact Experiments On Organic Haze Particles
Impacts are critical to producing the aqueous environments necessary to stimulate prebiotic chemistry on Titan’s surface. Furthermore, organic hazes resting on the surface are a likely feedstock of biomolecules. In […]
Posted inEnceladus, Europa, Ganymede, Icy Worlds, Press Release, Titan, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Ice Shell Thickness Reveals Water Temperature On Ocean Worlds
Cornell University astrobiologists have devised a novel way to determine ocean temperatures of distant worlds based on the thickness of their ice shells, effectively conducting oceanography from space.
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Missions & Hardware, Status Report, Titan
The Composition and Chemistry of Titan’s Atmosphere
In this article I summarize the current state of knowledge about the composition of Titan’s atmosphere, and our current understanding of the suggested chemistry that leads to that observed composition.
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Titan
Titan Is Most Likely Not Habitable
A study led by Western astrobiologist Catherine Neish shows the subsurface ocean of Titan – the largest moon of Saturn – is most likely a non-habitable environment, meaning any hope […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Status Report, Titan
Variability in Titan’s Mesospheric HCN and Temperature Structure as Observed by ALMA
The temperature structure of Titan’s upper atmosphere exhibits large variability resulting from numerous spatially and temporally irregular external energy sources, seasonal changes, and the influence of molecular species produced via […]