Scientists continue to unravel the mysteries of Saturn's moon: new hypotheses
Titan is the largest moon of the planet Saturn and one of the most intriguing objects in the Solar System. It features rivers, lakes, and seas, although they differ significantly from those on Earth.
Titan is the first celestial body, aside from Earth, known to have liquid bodies on its surface. However, these are composed of liquid hydrocarbons, predominantly methane. Scientists have been closely studying the surfaces of Titan's seas from orbit, and recent research aims to explain the significance of the bright spots observed on them, as reported by iflscience.
A recent paper by Xinting Yu from the University of Texas at San Antonio explores the possible explanations for these "magic islands" on Titan's seas.
When these enigmatic spots were discovered in 2014, scientists speculated that they might be waves, bubbles of nitrogen gas, or suspended or floating solids. In the new paper, Yu delves into the study of the interaction between the formation of solids in Titan's atmosphere and their behavior upon reaching the lakes.
Xinting Yu suggests that numerous organic compounds, some of which accumulate on sand hills, might not sink into rivers and seas due to their porous nature.
The researcher proposes the idea that these magic islands could be organic matter floating on the surface, akin to pumice stones that can float in water on Earth before eventually sinking. According to Yu, these magic islands float for a while and then submerge.
On Titan, simple organic molecules are formed in its atmosphere and settle on the surface as solids, including substances like benzene. The rivers and lakes of liquid methane and ethane on Titan have low surface gravity, making it challenging for solid particles to stay afloat.
Scientists suggest that porous solid materials, resembling pumice with holes or tubes, could float above the liquid elements on Titan, gradually absorbing methane. Magic islands not only emerge in the middle of lakes but also near the shores, where they can grow in size before separating and drifting away.
The study proposes that these magic islands might be composed of large pieces of porous organic matter. The presence of a frozen solid cover on the surface of rivers and lakes could also explain their smoothness, providing a solution to another mystery and reinforcing the findings.
The study can be viewed here.
