New Research Reveals How Titan's Atmosphere is Sustained

How Saturn's moon Titan can have such a dense atmosphere has been a mystery to scientists since 1944, when Dutch-American astronomer Gerrit Kuiper discovered this layer of gas rich in nitrogen and methane.

How Titan maintains its atmosphere

Scientists have performed laboratory experiments to better understand how Saturn's moon Titan can maintain its unique nitrogen-rich atmosphere. Titan is the second largest moon in our solar system and the only one that has a significant atmosphere.

Experiments corroborate theory about how Titan maintains its atmosphere

Southwest Research Institute partnered with the Carnegie Institution for Science to perform laboratory experiments to better understand how Saturn's moon Titan can maintain its unique nitrogen-rich atmosphere. Titan is the second largest moon in our solar system and the only one that has a significant atmosphere.

SwRI experiments validate theories about Titan's atmospheric sustainability

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 29, 2025 - Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) and the Carnegie Institution for Science have conducted advanced laboratory experiments to explore the mechanisms that allow Saturn's moon Titan to maintain its d

SwRI Experiments Support Theory on Titan's Atmospheric Retention

In a groundbreaking study, Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has collaborated with the Carnegie Institution for Science to investigate the enigmatic atmosphere of Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. This research hinges on experimental simulations that recreate the unique conditions at Titan’s rocky core, thereby offering insights into how this icy moon sustains its nitrogen-rich atmosphere. Titan stands out as the second-largest moon in the solar s…

Photoselective isotope fractionation dynamics in cosmo and atmospheric chemistry

Photochemical isotope effects have been measured for nearly 50 years with the driving force being the understanding of natural processes. This has ranged from climate and atmospheric chemistry and dynamics, planetary atmospheres such as Mars, Titan and Jupiter, consequences for resolvi...