NASA scientists have again discovered an ice cloud in the stratosphere of Titan, the largest moon of Saturn. The existence of this object contradicts everything that is known about the celestial body.
A cloud of carbon-nitrogen compounds (acetylene dinitrile) was discovered by the Cassini spacecraft. Usually on Titan, clouds form in the same way as on Earth, so scientists are confused that this object is composed of frozen chemicals.
The formation of acetylene dinitrile in the atmosphere of Titan
Image: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
For the first time such an ice phenomenon over Titan was recorded by the Voyager spacecraft in 1980, but then scientists could not determine its composition. Thanks to the composite infrared spectrometer (CIRS), it was possible to establish that a hundred times more vaporous acetylene dinitrile would be needed to form an object.
“The appearance of this ice cloud is contrary to everything we knew about cloud formation on Titan,” commented Carrie Anderson, a CIRS researcher at NASA's Greenbelt, Maryland space center. He added that the discovery of this unusual phenomenon may indicate the similarity of the stratospheres of Earth and Titan. A similar process can occur on Earth when chlorine-containing substances combine with crystals of frozen water.
Cassini's mission is dedicated to the exploration of Saturn, its rings and Titan. The station was launched on October 15, 1997 from Cape Canaveral in Florida and entered the orbit of Saturn on July 1, 2004. On December 25, 2004, the Huygens probe separated from the Cassini satellite, which landed on the surface of Titan on January 14, 2005.
Promotional video:
