ICY SCIENCE: SCIENCE SPACE ASTRONOMY Spring 2014 | Page 47

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titudes,

they observed over 200 clouds and found these clouds matched models on how they are distrib-

ovolca-

uted around Titan.

pewing

Titans northern hemisphere is entering its spring/summer season, this is interesting because on Titan
most of the liquid is in the northern hemisphere. So far no waves have been detected on Titan’s lakes
and very little wind. Current models indicate that the warming season could bring winds. A wind of
1 to 2 mph could produce waves or ripples in the methane lakes.

kes and

er tem-

weather

ropical.

ethane.

Like Earth, Titan has rainfall. The rain is that of methane and due to Titans gravity it falls slowly. Much of
the surface is kept wet by a light drizzle. The upper cloud layer is saturated with methane, this allows
ice crystals to grow and form. They eventually precipitate out and begin to fall, the falling methane
crystals start to melt as the go through the atmosphere. This forms light drizzle.
Titan also has storms which can be quite powerful. There is also evaporation from the lakes and seas
this contributes to the rainfall has it does on earth. Other mechanisms for weather is volcanic activity.

unlight

sphere

Images NASA
Words: Dave Bood

Cassini

be pos-

5 years,

@DavesAstronomy
ICY SCIENCE | QTR 2 SPRING 2014