As you may remember me saying before, Titan is not exactly like the Caribbean. But that isn’t to say that it’s not Earth-like. Indeed, the most fascinating thing about Titan is that in many ways, it’s very Earth-like indeed. To date, Titan is the only other world we know of with liquid on its surface. Titan has lakes and seasonal rains. It also has rivers.
This is an image, taken through Titan’s dense clouds, of just such a river. Just one thing though – don’t forget that unlike a river on Earth, this river won’t contain water. Instead, it will be running with methane.
Titan really is one of the most fascinating little planets* in the solar system. Active, and complex. Potentially even a habitat for life? While there are many who may be rightfully skeptical of the idea that Titan may even be a home to life, scientifically, the question is still open. Life or otherwise though, it’s going to be a long time before we know all of Titan’s secrets.
In the meantime, here’s an image of a river which you may be more familiar with. This is the Nile delta in Egypt, here on Earth – which many were apparently reminded of upon seeing Titan’s newly discovered river.
* Yes, I consider it a planet. Bite me.
Love the footnote.