spacetoday.net: Scientists detect new island on Titan

Scientists detect new island on Titan

Posted: Tue, Jun 24, 2014, 8:35 AM ET (1235 GMT)
Titan

Planetary scientists studying radar observations of the surface of Saturn's moon Titan have found new island, or other transient geologic feature, not previously seen in observations of the same region. The feature, dubbed "Magic Island," first appeared in radar observations of Ligeia Mare, Titan's second-largest sea, taken in July 2013. Previous radar observations of the same region did not detect the small feature. Scientists note that while they have called the feature an island, it could be caused by several different phenomena, from waves and bubble to ices that have risen to the surface. Researchers published their results in the journal Nature Geoscience this week.