Posted on 09/27/2006 3:19:27 AM PDT by Dallas59
This lake is part of a larger image taken by the Cassini radar instrument during a flyby of Saturn's moon Titan on Sept. 23, 2006. It shows clear shorelines that are reminiscent of terrestrial lakes. With Titan's colder temperatures and hydrocarbon-rich atmosphere, however, the lakes likely contain a combination of methane and ethane, not water.
Centered near 74 degrees north, 65 degrees west longitude, this lake is roughly 20 kilometers by 25 kilometers (12 to 16 miles) across. It features several narrow or angular bays, including a broad peninsula that on Earth would be evidence that the surrounding terrain is higher and confines the liquid. Broader bays, such as the one seen at right, might result when the terrain is gentler, as for example on a beach.
This Cassini radar image shows two lakes "kissing" each other on the surface of Saturn's moon Titan.
The image from a flyby on Sept. 23, 2006, covers an area about 60 kilometers (37 miles) wide by 40 kilometers (25 miles) high.
This pass was primarily dedicated to the ion and neutral mass spectrometer instrument, so although, the volume of radar data was small, scientists were amazed to see Earth-like lakes. With Titan's colder temperatures and hydrocarbon-rich atmosphere, however, the lakes likely contain a combination of methane and ethane, not water.
In this image, near 73 degrees north latitude, 46 degrees west longitude, two lakes are seen, each 20 to 25 kilometers (12 to 16 miles) across. They are joined by a relatively narrow channel. The lake on the right has lighter patches within it, indicating that it may be slowly drying out as the northern summer approaches.
Neat photos.
Hope we go back with a better lander.
What kind of bait should one use in these lakes?
As long as it's not to Europa.
Everybody into the pool!
A nice chunk of warm dry ice on a hook.
C'mon... somebody's working on it right now, I can feel it.
Mua'Dib?
I wonder what sort of erosion characteristics these chemicals have,assuming the're liquid.
I wonder if it moves,has currents or waves.
Great pictures.
Thanks for the post.It's inspiring stuff.
I think the lake on the right is slippin' some tongue...
The one on the left looks a bit like Clinton and the one on the right looks like a ferret-faced Shillary.
Like the seas on the moon, no doubt.
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