Geographic control of Titan's mid-latitude clouds

Science. 2005 Oct 21;310(5747):477-9. doi: 10.1126/science.1116760.

Abstract

Observations of Titan's mid-latitude clouds from the W. M. Keck and Gemini Observatories show that they cluster near 350 degrees W longitude, 40 degrees S latitude. These clouds cannot be explained by a seasonal shift in global circulation and thus presumably reflect a mechanism on Titan such as geysering or cryovolcanism in this region. The rate of volatile release necessary to trigger cloud formation could easily supply enough methane to balance the loss to photolysis in the upper atmosphere.

Publication types

  • Comment
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Atmosphere
  • Extraterrestrial Environment
  • Methane*
  • Saturn*
  • Seasons
  • Temperature
  • Volcanic Eruptions

Substances

  • Methane