Photo: Saturn Moon Has Lakes, "Water" Cycle Like Earth's, Scientists Say

Email to a Friend << Back to Full Story


Radar-imaging data from the Cassini spacecraft has revealed that Saturn's giant moon Titan likely has lakes of methane on its surface, indicated by the darker coloring in the image above.

What's more, the flyby also provided evidence that Titan has a hydrological cycle remarkably similar to that of Earth's, though with methane as the key component, not water.

Image courtesy NASA/JPL/USGS

MOST VIEWED NEWS

PICTURES: 2012 Doomsday Myths Debunked

2012: Six End-of-the-World Myths Debunked

APOCALYPSE PICTURES: 10 Failed Doomsday Prophecies
NEWS FEEDS    After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed. After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed.

Get our news delivered directly to your desktop—free.
How to Use XML or RSS

ADVERTISEMENT

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S PHOTO OF THE DAY

Today's National Geographic Photo of the Day

• Today's Photo

• Download as Wallpaper

50 Drives of a Lifetime

National Geographic Traveler has scoured the globe for the world's most beautiful, interesting, and off-beat road trips. Dive in to get drive directions, quizzes, photos, and more.