Titan is Saturn’s largest moon (Photo: Reuters)

A recent study carried out by planetary scientists from University of Hawaii at Mānoa suggests that life could potentially exist on TitanSaturn’s largest moon.
Researchers suggest that methane could be trapped beneath its thick icy crust, raising intriguing possibilities about the Moon’s potential to harbor life.
This research not only highlights Titan’s unique geological features, but also explores its ability to host life forms.
“It was very surprising”
The research team, led by scientist Lauren Schurmeier, observed that Titan’s impact craters are shallower than expected, with only 90 craters identified so far. “This was very surprising because, based on other moons, we expect to see many more impact craters on the surface and much deeper craters than we observe on Titan,” Schurmeier explained.
The researchers found that a unique process must be at play that caused these craters to become shallower and disappear more quickly than on other celestial bodies.
To investigate, the team used computer modeling to calculate the thickness of a potential methane clathrate crust, estimated to be 5 to 10 kilometers (about 3 to 6 miles) thick. Schurmeier noted, “Using this modeling approach, we were able to constrain the thickness of the methane clathrate crust…because simulations using this thickness produced crater depths that best matched the observed craters.” »
Possibility of life on Titan
Methane clathrate, a solid compound in which methane is trapped in the crystal structure of water, could significantly influence Titan’s climate and carbon cycle. This insulating crust could keep the Moon’s interior warm, suggesting an environment suitable for life. If life exists in Titan’s subsurface ocean, any sign of it will need to be transported to the surface to be discovered by future missions.
A unique environment
Titan is known to be one of the few objects in the solar system to have a dense atmosphere and liquid bodies on its surface. The extreme cold means these liquids are composed of hydrocarbons like methane and ethane, with a surface area largely made up of solid water ice. Interestingly, humans would not need a pressure suit to walk on Titan’s surface, although an oxygen mask would be essential to withstand extremely low temperatures.
THE NASA Dragonfly Mission to Titan is expected to launch in July 2028 and arrive in 2034. This mission will allow researchers to closely observe Titan and explore its icy surface, including a crater called Selk.