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Physics Today Article Published: The Changing Face of Titan - 09.02.2008

Ralph Lorenz, a member of the TSSM JSDT, recently published an article in Physics Today. Article Summary Titan’s atmosphere sets this moon apart from any other satellites in the solar system. Having an atmosphere alone makes this body similar to Earth, even though it is ten times more massive per unit area. However, there are other remarkable similarities between Titan and Earth. The Huygens probe has shown features on Titan that look like networks of river channels, evidence of a hydrological-like cycle that creates methane rain. Seasonal changes in cloud patterns based on solar heating of the surface have been seen, especially in the polar regions. Additionally, lakes have been found in the polar regions as well as sand dunes in the lower latitudes. Titan is a fantastic laboratory for comparative studies with other bodies in the solar system and there is a great deal of knowledge still to be learned. >> Read the Article

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