Something is floating on Titan's surface, it's moving and scientists are confused – teach me about science

In the Solar System, Saturn's moon Titan has baffled scientists. Scientists With its alien terrains and extreme conditions for decades. However, a recent discovery shed light on one of its most intriguing puzzles: «Magical Islands«. Initially mistaken for gas bubbles, these ephemeral formations may actually be ice glaciers. organic matterA step study Published by Xinting Yu of the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Titan also eclipses Mercury and our own Moon, notable for its thick orange atmosphere. Nitrogen And a touch Methane. This unique atmosphere creates 60% more pressure than Earth Liquid bodies On the surface, the Ethane And Methane, offer a unique sky view. The “Magical Islands«, bright and moving spots in Titan's oceans have puzzled scientists. Scientists They were discovered by NASA's Cassini mission a decade ago.

At first, it was speculated that these might be medieval forms Nitrogen gas bubbles Or even floating islands solid materials. However, recent research proposes a revolutionary theory:Magical Islands» may contain organic matter Floating, similar to pumice on earth. The discovery is particularly relevant with the arrival of the next Dragonfly mission planned for the next decade, which promises to expand our knowledge of this enigmatic Saturn satellite.

Organic molecules freeze in Titan's upper atmosphere and fall to the surface, creating a dark, wavy landscape. A key question that perplexes Scientists Is: What happens when this hydrocarbon “ice” settles in lakes and rivers? liquid gas From Titan? Research by Xinting Yu suggests an interesting answer: Solid organic matterUpon entering these Liquid bodies, insoluble due to concentration of organic particles. The recommendation is that this material should have a porous structure HoneycombTo float, thus explains the mysterious creation «Magical Islands«.

The study also indicates that a thin layer Frozen solids This may account for the apparent smoothness of Titan's seas and lakes. This revelation changes our understanding of Titan's surface, suggesting that the apparent quiescence of its liquid bodies may be the result of a thin layer. Solid organic matter It acts as a kind of clothing Extraterrestrial oceans.

Yu's research not only unravels the mystery “Magical Islands» on Titan, but also provides a unique perspective on the complexity and uniqueness of this enigmatic alien world. Titan, with its similarities and differences to Earth, becomes a privileged field of study Space exploration. Its dense atmosphere and Liquid bodies Uniqueness raises fundamental questions about creation and evolution Distant worlds.