Saturn's moon Titan, like Earth, has its hazy days.
Astronomers studying this image taken of
Titan by NASA's Cassini orbiter were surprised to find a large number of
haze layers in the moon's upper atmosphere.
The find was a boon for
researchers, especially since Cassini's last images of Titan - taken
two months ago during its first flight past the moon -
showed an atmosphere that was predominantly cloud-free, with only a patch
of clouds over the south pole to observe. But during the
interim months several extensive patches of clouds have formed, giving
scientists direct evidence of Titan's weather and allowing them
to record wind speeds and atmospheric circulation.
Cassini took this during its second close pass
by Titan on Dec. 13, when the orbiter swept within 750 miles (1,200 kilometers)
of the Saturnian moon. Shown here is the night side limb of Titan,
originally observed in the ultraviolet range of the light spectrum and
later colorized by researchers to look like true color. The multiple detached
haze layers extend 249 miles (400 kilometers) above Titans
surface and shimmer in their own glow over the moon's night side.
-- SPACE.com Staff
Credit: NASA/JPL/Space Science
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