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You are here: BBC > Science & Nature > Space > Solar System > Saturn
MAIN MOONS:   Titan    Iapetus    Dione   Enceladus    Mimas
TITAN
· Your travel guide to the Solar System ·

Titan
Facts and Figures

DEFINITION

Titan is the largest moon of Saturn and the second largest moon in the whole Solar System.

REASONS TO VISIT

  • Visit the only moon in the Solar System with an atmosphere
  • Look for signs of life on this hazy orange world

STOP PRESS

See the latest news from the Huygens probe on bbc.co.uk/news
 
Solar System Jigsaw
Solar System Jigsaw
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WHAT TO SEE


Orange atmosphere
Titan is cloaked in a hazy orange atmosphere. The clouds are made of nitrogen, with traces of other simple molecules. They form a thick fog around the moon, hiding its surface. The only way to find out what lies beneath is to visit.

Lakes and rivers
In January 2005, the Huygens probe landed on this mysterious moon. It sent back images of what looked like drainage channels leading into a dark lake or sea. We don't yet know whether this region has frozen, or whether it is still liquid. But one thing is certain. Something has been flowing on Titan in the past.

Whatever Titan's rivers are made of, it certainly isn't water. The surface is so cold that any water would have frozen long ago. Instead, the rivers and lakes could be liquid methane or ethane.

Creme Brulee
Titan also has areas of solid ground. The region where Huygens landed was fairly flat and strewn with boulders. Scientists compared the consistencty of the landing site to Creme Brulee - the dessert with the crunchy topping.

Origins of life?
The atmosphere on Titan could be identical to that of the early Earth when life began. If Titan was warmer in the past, then life may have sprouted.

Hunt for signs of life on Titan

SPOTTING TITAN FROM THE EARTH


Titan is not visible from the Earth with the naked eye, but can be seen with a small telescope.

TRAVEL INFORMATION


Before you leave
Remember to pack a reinforced umbrella, Titan's clouds could open up causing showers of thick black rain.

When you arrive
Titan probably has both solid ground and liquid seas. So be prepared to change your landing site at the last moment if necessary.

LOCAL HISTORY


In Greek mythology, the Titans were a race of god-like giants. Saturn's other moons are named specific Titan characters like Enceladus and Mimas.

Discovery
Titan was discovered by Christiaan Huygens in 1655.

STOP PRESS


The Huygens probe landed on Titan in January 2005.

See the first images of the surface of Titan on bbc.co.uk/news

More from BBC

bbc.co.uk/news - Life on Titan
See the first images of the surface of Titan, taken by the Huygens probe

BBC Space - Life on Titan
Could there be something living on Titan?

BBC Space - Exploration
The history and future of planetary missions

Go further

SEDS - The Nine Planets
In-depth site on the structure, mythology and composition of Titan

NASA - Solar System Exploration
Good beginner's guide to Titan

NASA - Planetary Photojournal
Pictures of Titan

NASA - Saturnian Moon Factsheet
In-depth data on Saturn's moons

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