Researchers are trying to find out what the geological feature of Saturn’s moon actually is.
Saturn’s moon Titan may contain hundreds of strange ridges called yardangs. Such a geological feature could shed light on how the icy moon’s surface varies from region to region, writes New Scientist.
Scientists say Yardangs could contaminate Titan’s polar regions. Yardangs are long, perfectly straight backs. This surface is formed as a result of erosion breaking down soft strips of soil. Therefore, such features could help understand Titan’s complex geology.
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The fact is that in the upper latitudes of Titan hundreds of strange lines were discovered, which planetary scientists call bright linear features. Experts believe these are either sand dunes or yardangs observed at Titan’s equator. Both natural phenomena present long, flat systems of ridges and depressions, so they are difficult to distinguish from each other.
“It’s pretty hard to tell what we’re looking at from orbit; we just see long, straight lines,” says Jani Radebaugh of Brigham Young University.
Radebaugh and his team used a computer model to compare more than 200 features of Titan to sand dunes and yardangs on Earth.
On our planet, yardangs tend to be flatter than sand dunes and appear brighter in radar images. The fact that all objects detected on Titan appear flatter and also brighter in the images, leading scientists to the idea of yardangs.
The fact that Titan’s lower latitudes are dominated by dunes and its upper latitudes are dominated by yardangs could help researchers learn about conditions in different parts of the moon.
“Perhaps there is no sand at high latitudes on Titan, or there is material that is more easily eroded,” Radebaugh said.
NASA’s Dragonfly spacecraft, scheduled to launch to Titan in 2028, is expected to provide a wealth of new information to help us understand this.
Let us also remind you that the secret of the “magic islands” on Saturn’s moon Titan has been revealed. A new study explains two mysteries about Saturn’s largest moon.
Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.