Rapid and Extensive Surface Changes Near Titan's Equator: Evidence of April Showers

Creators: Turtle, E. P.; Perry, J. E.; Hayes, A. G.; Lorenz, R. D.; Barnes, J. W.; McEwen, A. S.; West, R. A.; Del Genion, A. D.; Barbara, J. M.; Lunine, J. I.; Schaller, E. L.; Ray, T. L.; Lopes, R. M. C.; Stofan, E. R.

Abstract

Although there is evidence that liquids have flowed on the surface at Titan's equator in the past, to date, liquids have only been confirmed on the surface at polar latitudes, and the vast expanses of dunes that dominate Titan's equatorial regions require a predominantly arid climate. We report the detection by Cassini's Imaging Science Subsystem of a large low-latitude cloud system early in Titan's northern spring and extensive surface changes (spanning more than 500,000 square kilometers) in the wake of this storm. The changes are most consistent with widespread methane rainfall reaching the surface, which suggests that the dry channels observed at Titan's low latitudes are carved by seasonal precipitation.

Additional Information

© 2011 American Association for the Advancement of Science. Received 30 November 2010; accepted 18 February 2011. We are grateful to all who developed and operate the Cassini-Huygens mission and to two very helpful anonymous reviewers. Research was supported by the Cassini-Huygens mission, a cooperative project of NASA, ESA, and ASI, managed by JPL, a division of the California Institute of Technology, under a contract with NASA. Supported by a Hubble Postdoctoral Fellowship (E.L.S.).

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Rapid and Extensive Surface Changes Near Titan's Equator: Evidence of April Showers

Abstract

Additional Information

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