NASA's Cassini probe discovered two new islands floating on Titan, one of Saturn's moons.

These mysterious islands appear and then disappear. The first of these islands was discovered last year. Scientists are calling them "magic islands".

These magic islands were discovered by Cassini on Titan's largest sea, the Kraken Mare, during a flyby last August 21. The space probe is examining and observing the sea to learn its composition and how it works.

Like Us on Facebook

Titan is the only known satellite in the solar system with seas and lakes similar to Earth. These bodies of liquid, however, consist of liquid methane and ethane.

Although researchers discovered the first mystery "magic island" in another Titan sea last year, it was picked up by only one instrument aboard Cassini. These two new magic islands were both seen by Cassini's Visible and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS). Data from VIMS will enable scientists to study the islands on two wavelengths.

Scientists believe these floating islands are probably waves or floating debris. If they're not waves, they could be something more solid, said Jason Soderblom, a researcher on the Cassini project. It's definite they're objects on the surface of the ocean.

Using Cassini's radar, the research team attempted to explore the depths of the Kraken Mare which they found has a depth ranging from 66 feet to 115 feet. In January 2015, the probe will attempt to measure the depth of Titan's third largest ocean, the Punga Mare.

Cassini will bid farewell to Kraken Mare when it departs Titan. The probe will make a last stop at Ligeia Mare in January 2015 before the mission ends. This is where the first magic island was found.

Cassini has been studying and exploring Titan since 2004.

TagsCassini Reveals "Magic Islands" on Saturn's Moon, TItan, NASA, cassini, Saturn, TItan, cassini magic islands saturn moon titan