Chemistry Nexus
by WebElements: the periodic table on the web
Why is there so much methane on Titan?
This Cassini-Huygens article addresses the abundance of methane on Titan. Titan’s atmosphere is mostly nitrogen but there are also methane and many other organic compounds. On Earth, life refreshes the methane supply as it is a by-product of metabolism. This is not likely to be the source of methane on Titan but if, as on Earth, sunlight is continuously destroying methane, how is methane getting into Titan’s atmosphere?
WebElements December 9th, 2009
Posted In: Atmospheric chemistry, Chemistry
Titan’s methane springs
Lands, rivers and methane springs: latest images of Titan. Titan’s atmosphere is mostly nitrogen but there is also methane and many other organic compounds.
This mosaic of three frames provides unprecedented detail of the high ridge area including the flow down into a major river channel from different sources.
Mosaic of river channel and ridge area on Titan. Credit: ESA/NASA/JPL/University of Arizona.
WebElements December 8th, 2009
Posted In: Atmospheric chemistry, Chemistry, Environmental chemistry