Cassini sees cloud formation on Titan
Posted: Mon, Dec 20, 2004, 8:38 AM ET (1338 GMT)
Images of Titan taken by the Cassini spacecraft last week show cloud formations not seen during a flyby less than two months earlier, project scientists announced. Cassini passed with 1,200 km of Titan's surface during a flyby on December 13, the second close pass by Saturn's largest moon. Images taken during this flyby showed several extensive patches of clouds in mid-latitude regions of the moon; images taken during an October flyby showed no clouds anywhere in the atmosphere except near the south pole. The new cloud formations will allow scientists to measure wind speeds and directions in that region in the atmosphere not previously possible. In a separate study, astronomers using groundbased telescopes have detected similar cloud formations in Titan's atmosphere, appearing intermittently throughout the year. The Cassini images also showed fine features that could be impact-related surface features, although no definitive impact craters have yet been observed.
Images of Titan taken by the Cassini spacecraft last week show cloud formations not seen during a flyby less than two months earlier, project scientists announced. Cassini passed with 1,200 km of Titan's surface during a flyby on December 13, the second close pass by Saturn's largest moon. Images taken during this flyby showed several extensive patches of clouds in mid-latitude regions of the moon; images taken during an October flyby showed no clouds anywhere in the atmosphere except near the south pole. The new cloud formations will allow scientists to measure wind speeds and directions in that region in the atmosphere not previously possible. In a separate study, astronomers using groundbased telescopes have detected similar cloud formations in Titan's atmosphere, appearing intermittently throughout the year. The Cassini images also showed fine features that could be impact-related surface features, although no definitive impact craters have yet been observed.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, September 13
SpaceX, Northrop Grumman to launch supplies to ISS
Spectrum News — 5:52 am ET (0952 GMT) Cornell-led space tech startup acquired by Pasteur Labs
Cornell Univ. — 5:51 am ET (0951 GMT) How China Is Transforming Space Power
The Diplomat — 5:46 am ET (0946 GMT) Two billionaires have very different — and equally wild — visions of a future in space. Is either possible?
CNN — 5:43 am ET (0943 GMT) Rare photos show 'deeply personal' moments in space
BBC — 5:36 am ET (0936 GMT) |
