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Methane Lakes

Methane Lakes. Titan. -290 ᴼ Farenheit Lakes around poles Composed of liquid hydrocarbons (methane, ethane) Some larger than Lake Superior Follows cycle similar to Earth’s hydrologic Areas of dried up seas, similar to salt flats. Waves. Sand dunes provide proof for wind

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Methane Lakes

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  1. Methane Lakes

  2. Titan • -290 ᴼ Farenheit • Lakes around poles • Composed of liquid hydrocarbons (methane, ethane) • Some larger than Lake Superior • Follows cycle similar to Earth’s hydrologic • Areas of dried up seas, similar to salt flats

  3. Waves • Sand dunes provide proof for wind • Gravity on Titan 1/7th that of Earth • Predicted necessary wind speeds for wave generation are 0.4-0.7 m/s • Satellite data shows no waves down to mm scale on the lakes (Cassini Solstice Mission) Where are the Waves?

  4. Theories • Lakes are frozen -unlikely due to surface temperatures and presence of rainfall • Thick, tar-like substance present on top • Wind not blowing hard enough -polar winds low during winter (currently)

  5. Future • The North pole of Titan is heading towards it’s solstice in 2017 • Change is predicted to increase wind speeds past threshold for waves • Cassini mission continues to monitor in hopes to explain

  6. Abstract (Hayes Waves)

  7. References • http://www.clidyn.ethz.ch/papers/HayesWaves2013.pdf • http://lightsinthedark.wordpress.com/2013/07/27/titan-not-windy-enough-for-waves-cassini-will-see-about-that/ • http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/flybys/titan20130726/ • http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/newsreleases/newsrelease20131023/ • http://www.universetoday.com/105706/titans-north-pole-is-loaded-with-lakes/

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