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The results are likely to help plan future space missions.
An international team of researchers suggests that craters represent the most likely places on the Titan where important chemical reactions for life can continue
Provide appropriate conditions for the existence of water in the liquid state. The scientist based on the data obtained by the space probes Cassini and Huygens
The study published by the journal Astrobiology
An exceptional cosmic object
Titan represents the largest moon of the planet Saturn and the second largest moon of the solar system. Moreover, it is the only known natural satellite with a dense atmosphere. It consists mainly of nitrogen and methane. Titan is particularly distinguished by the fact that there are a number of organic molecules rich in carbon in its atmosphere – even on ice –
Despite all these precursors of life, no probe has revealed a single sign of the moon
Astronomers believe that it is the result of a low temperature that is minus 180 ° C.
But the international team of scientists in the last study studied if Titan can still find suitable places for the formation of germs of life
Important is the liquid water
The cosmic probes of Cassini and Huygens, with the probe Huygens as the only probe surface -surface
Cassini radar measurements revealed the presence of lakes full of liquid methane, high mountains, valleys and surprisingly few craters. The very small number of craters suggests that Titan is geologically active.
Although methane lakes seem at first sight to be ideal places to find life forms, scientists from a new study have suggested that craters and cryovulians are much more appropriate. The geological processes that occur in these formations result in the melting of the ice bark into liquid water.
Cryopulcanism is a special type of volcanic activity that does not exist on Earth. Unlike vulcanism, when hundreds of degrees Celsius melt, cryopulcan volcanoes emit cold matter
Despite the low temperatures of cryovulcanism, it is necessary that enough heat melt or melt the ice bark. Therefore, under such volcanoes there are probably areas in which there is water in the liquid state
"Mixing tholines with liquid water rapidly creates acids Thus, no matter where liquid water is found, either on the surface or just below the surface of Titan, can produce biomolecules – the precursors of life. " , explains NASA scientist Morgan Cable.
Tholines are a group of organic compounds formed by the reaction of simple mixtures of gases and organic matter with cosmic rays
The most appropriate candidates
Although cryovulanes allow the existence of water in the liquid state,
The main author of the study, Catherine Neish, presented three main reasons.The first is the discovered that there are really craters on the surface of Titan, albeit in a number i ncomparably smaller than our Moon.
On the other hand, the data obtained by the Cassini and Huygens probes do not confirm cryopanism with 100% confidence. "Sotra Facula is the best and only example we have, so if Titan cryoplanets exist, they are much rarer (like craters)."
As another reason, the scientist gave the theory that geological processes in craters can melt more ice than cryovuli. As a result, "it takes longer if all the water freezes again." Maybe over a thousand years.
Photo Gallery / 2
Kryovulkán Sotra Facula. The reconstruction is based on Cassini measurements.
Source: NASA / JPL
"Impact craters are likely to produce hotter than cryovulans," said Neish, last point. Scientists have suggested that the three craters Sinp, Selk and Menrva would be the most likely locations on Titanium where liquid water could be present and perhaps complex organic molecules.
These are suitable candidates for future missions. The next landing a month will be preceded by a number of detailed measurements. "Even with such results, we still do not know where to start looking for life," said David Grinspoon of the Institute of Planetary Science
"I would not have used them yet to handle another exploration Titan I think it's premature. "
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