NASA’s Cassini Spacecraft Obtains New Images Of Titan, Shows Interesting Terrain Features

NASA's Cassini spacecraft has reportedly obtained new radar images of Titan, Saturn's largest moon, during a close flyby on July 25. The spacecraft reached as close as 976 kilometers to the massive moon, and Cassini's radar instrument was able to reveal fine surface details after penetrating the dense haze that encompasses Titan.

The new captures and a short video reveal interesting terrain features of the alien landscape, which includes long and linear dunes. Scientists have speculated that the dunes could be made up of hydrocarbon grains that have settled from the atmosphere of Titan. In addition, similar dunes encircle a major portion of Titan's equator.

As per reports, researchers can use the help of Titan's dunes to know more about the sands they are composed of, the formative winds as well as other features in the landscape. "Dunes are dynamic features. They are deflected by obstacles along the downwind path, often making beautiful, undulating patterns," said Jani Radebaugh, associate from the Cassini radar team.

Apart from the dunes, Cassini also shows images from an area called Xanadu annex, whose terrain is similar to another large area on Titan known as Xanadu. Both Xanadu and Xanadu annex have mountainous terrains, which incidentally are also seen in other parts of the giant moon. However, according to the researching team of scientists, Xanadu annex is somewhat of a mysterious puzzle because mountainous terrains on Titan are usually contained to isolated and small patches, however in the case of Xanadu and its annex, they are spread over a large area.

"These mountainous areas appear to be the oldest terrains on Titan, probably remnants of the icy crust before it was covered by organic sediments from the atmosphere," said Rosaly Lopes, a member from the Cassini team. "Hiking in these rugged landscapes would likely be similar to hiking in South Dakota's Badlands".

Incidentally, the July 25 flyby was the 122 encounter that Cassini had with Titan since it reached the Saturn system in 2004. Four more flybys of Titan still remain for Cassini which will focus on the moon's liquid filled seas and lakes.

A frigid alien landscape comes to light in recent radar images of Saturn's moon Titan. More: https://t.co/4NSfQPWcHG pic.twitter.com/PnESVqbrJj

— CassiniSaturn (@CassiniSaturn) September 7, 2016