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.
Titan
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 […]
Posted inEnceladus, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Mimas, Saturn, Status Report, Titan, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Long-Term Evolution of the Saturnian System
Here we present the current state of knowledge on the long-term evolution of Saturn’s moon system due to tides within Saturn. First we provide some background on tidal evolution, orbital […]
Posted inAI - Data - Apps - Cybernetics, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Modeling Ocean Dynamics On Earth: Applications For Understanding Other Water Worlds
Editor’s note: one of the things we are looking for as we examine the icy water worlds in our own solar system and exoplanets circling other stars are oceans. Earth […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Habitable Zones, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report, Titan
Organic Hazes As A Source Of Life’s Building Blocks To Warm Little Ponds On The Hadean Earth
Over 4 billion years ago, Earth is thought to have been a hazy world akin to Saturn’s moon Titan. The organic hazes in the atmosphere at this time could contain […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Saturn, Status Report, Titan
The Fate of Simple Organics on Titan’s Surface: A Theoretical Perspective
Atmospheric photochemistry on Titan continuously transforms methane and nitrogen gases into various organic compounds.
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Icy Worlds, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Saturn, Titan
Titan’s “Magic Islands” Are Likely Honeycombed Hydrocarbon Icebergs
Titan’s “magic islands” are likely floating chunks of porous, frozen organic solids, a new study finds, pivoting from previous work suggesting they were gas bubbles. The study was published in […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release, TRAPPIST-1, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
A Carbon-lite Atmosphere Could Be A Sign Of Water And Life On Other Terrestrial Planets
Scientists at MIT, the University of Birmingham, and elsewhere say that astronomers’ best chance of finding liquid water, and even life on other planets, is to look for the absence, […]