[X] My Assistant

[exoplanet]

An interesting quote from the website: http://www.titanexploration.com


"But one can also suggest that those streaks are the outcome of a subsurface ocean with eastward currents that would create fractures or grooves in the icy crust of Titan. Hence, that would also explain, for instance, why the dark streaks have the same direction as most of the ridges in their environment."

The above is a great website resource btw. Just found it today. Since I have posted before that I do not believe that the features that we are seeing on radar are actual linear dunes - I was very excited to read that someone else may feel the same.

I mentioned before in prior posts that believe that the dark areas seen on radar and by Cassini are indeed oceans of methane with possible traces of ammonia and other hydrocarbons. The reason that we are not seeing any "specular" glints may be due to complex chemical interactions between the surface of any ocean and the atmosphere. A complex hydrocarbon "crust" my not be out of the question.

This quote interests me as well: "Titan's surface reflected no more than 15 percent to 20 percent at infrared light wavelengths. Light reflected revealed there are organic materials and water ice but also water ice laced with an unknown constituent."

What exactly is the surface of Titan made up of. Interestingly, acetelyne was not found (although it is found in the atmosphere). Where is the acetelyne ending up if not on the surface?

[exoplanet]

Bruce, check this out:

http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2006

Go to the Titan presentation.

This has got to be the most ambiguous presentation that I have ever read. I really get the feeling that the principal scientists have no idea what is being seen on the surface of Titan and what the surface composition is. Also after researching the SAR specs - apparently, the SAR can penetrate the surface by as much as 3-7 meters in some instances. I wonder if this has any bearing at all as to what is actually being visualized,