Titan, the first known satellite of Saturn, is largest among sixty one others orbiting the planet. It is second to Ganymede of Jupiter, the largest moon in the outer space.

Other than the Earth's moon, Titan is the most studied satellite. Why? 

This is because scientist found it to have many common things with Earth. Let's take a closer look of their similarities.

Like Us on Facebook

1. Atmosphere 

There were previous reports that Titan is the only moon in the solar system to have an atmosphere similar to the living planet's. It is made up of nitrogen and methane, extending around the moon ten times as far into the space as the atmosphere of the Earth, according to Science World Report. 

Andrew Coates of UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory said that it's pressure is fifty percent higher compared to Earth's. Nonetheless, this kind of atmosphere—in theory—is one of the best potential candidates for hosting life. 

2. Rainfalls 

Like the planet Earth, Titan also receives rainfalls. It's lesser though compared to our planet, mainly because Titan is covered by fewer clouds.

Nitrogen and methane, from Titan's atmosphere, could sometimes fall to the surface as methane rain. Cassini, a robotic spacecraft sent by NASA, contained a probe called Huygens that recorded the rain activities in 2004 and 2007.

Dr. Ralph Lorenz from John Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory learned about this rainfall. During his talk at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Texas, he said that he observed the rainfall in Titan's northern pole and it appeared to happen more often.

These findings led him to make a proposal of sending another spacecraft, which would land in one of the moon's lakes, sometime in 2023.

3. Bodies of Water

It's been discovered that the rainfall on Titan led to the formation of rivers, lakes and streams, The Daily Galaxy has learned. 

Cassini Imaging Team released the map of Titan showing it's northern hemisphere called the "Lake District." The observation indicated that there were liquid methane stores both in the northern and southern hemisphere. 

Scientists of the Cassini Mission predict that a large cloud system will form in Titan's northern hemisphere and more hydrocarbons will fill the lake because of the precipitation. Currently, there are no lakes near the equitorial region but they may begin to appear because of this phenomenon. 

This new discovery suggests that there are existing underground methane reservoirs in Saturn VI.

4. Land Surfaces 

Cassini revealed that there are regions in Titan that are extensively covered in longitudinal dunes. The climate, which includes the rain and the wind, contributed to the ridge formation. 

The sand surface of Earth and Titan have different compositions. Earth is made up of small grains of silicates, while Titan's was derived from hydrocarbon polymers. 

5. Polar Winds 

Titan has polar winds, according to the latest discovery revealed by scientists. This is the reason why Titan is losing seven tonnes of hydrocarbons and nitriles every day. 

Titan doesn't have a magnetic field unlike Earth, according to Phys Org. However, Saturn has a rapid rotating magnetic field that surrounds the satelite.  

The photelectorns, negatively charged, create an electricval field around the moon. This field is strong enough to pull hydrocarbon and nitrile particles (positively charged), creating a widespread polar wind. 

This activity has been recorded to have only occured in Earth, until recently. 

TagsTItan, Saturn, moon, Earth, Universe