Another Cassini flyby of Titan revealed that the atmosphere is overflowing with complex organic matter. This finding may provide clues to the question of how life originated on Earth
Another Cassini flyby of Titan revealed that the atmosphere is overflowing with complex organic matter. This finding may provide clues to the question of how life originated on Earth.
Cassini came within a thousand kilometers of Titan's icy surface on April 16 and discovered a layer of hydrocarbons in the upper atmosphere.
Titan's atmosphere consists mainly of nitrogen and methane, the simplest type of hydrocarbon (hydrocarbon). However, the scientists were surprised to find complex organic substances in the last approach. This is because Titan is very cold, 180 degrees below zero, and the scientists expected that the organic materials would condense and fall as rain on the surface.
"We are beginning to appreciate the role of the upper atmosphere in the complex carbon cycle that occurs on Titan," said Hunter Waite, a professor at the University of Michigan. The scientists believe that the upper layer may be similar to the one that was on the ancient Earth and its study may provide clues about the formation of life.
This was Cassini's sixth approach flight to Titan, when in one of the previous approaches it also launched the Huygens spacecraft to land on the large Saturnian moon, but the research has only just begun. Another 39 flybys to this distant world are planned during Cassini's regular mission. The next approach is scheduled for August 22.
