February 4, 2005

New Probe Sees Evidence of Snow and Methane Rain on Titan's Plains

By RICHARD MONASTERSKY

On Saturn's moon Titan, the weather outside is frightful. That's the conclusion reached by researchers who examined data collected by the Huygens probe, which landed on the surface of Titan in January. Poring over the images and chemical measurements, scientists saw firm indications of rain and snow that look like a Twilight Zone version of the precipitation on Earth.

"We have lots of evidence for familiar earthlike processes, but with very exotic materials, on this new world we have

Digital or Print Subscription

Web Pass

Already have an account? Log In Now.