Observations from the international Cassini spacecraft suggest Saturn’s largest moon may have active or recently active ice volcanoes.
Radar images point to flows on the surface of Titan that could result from volcanoes spewing chilled liquid from the interior, scientists reported last week.
Previous images suggested ice volcanoes existed, and scientists believe they would erupt with ammonia, methane and water instead of lava, which erupts from volcanoes on earth.
PHOTO: AP/NASA
The latest data “not only indicate that volcanoes have been erupting in the recent past, but might even be going on today,” said Cassini scientist Jonathan Lunine of the University of Arizona in Tucson.
Titan is one of the few bodies in the solar system with a significant atmosphere. Scientists believe methane gas breaks up in the atmosphere and forms clouds that rain methane.
The source of methane remains a mystery. Scientists favoring the volcanic theory say methane eruptions from Titan’s interior could explain the moon’s smoggy atmosphere.
Data found bright spots on two regions on Titan. In one of the regions, scientists found evidence of ammonia frost.
But not everyone is sitting on the same side of the fence.
Scientist Jeff Moore of NASA’s Ames Research Center said the results were interesting, but don’t prove anything.
“Something is going on. Exactly what it is, isn’t clear,” Moore said.
The spacecraft has been orbiting Saturn and studying its rings and moons since 2004.(AP)
國際太空船「卡西尼號」傳回的觀測資料顯示，土星的最大衛星上可能有活冰火山或最近才開始活動的冰火山。
科學家上週報告說，雷達圖像指出，泰坦表面的流體可能是火山內部噴射出的冷凍液體。
先前傳回的圖像顯示，泰坦上有冰火山；科學家認為，這些冰火山會噴出氨、甲烷和水，不同於地球上的火山爆發時會噴出熔岩。
土桑市亞利桑納大學的「卡西尼號」任務科學家強納森．盧奈說，最新的資料指出，「這些火山不僅曾在近代多次噴發，甚至連現在也可能爆發」。
泰坦是太陽系中少數擁有濃厚大氣層的天體之一。科學家認為，甲烷氣消散於大氣中後形成雲，再降下甲烷雨。
泰坦上的甲烷從何而來仍是個謎。支持火山理論的科學家們認為，泰坦內部噴出的甲烷可以為這個衛星霧濛濛的大氣提出解釋。
資料顯示，泰坦上有兩個區域呈現亮點。科學家在其中一區發現霜狀氨的證據。
但並非所有人都持相同看法。
美國航太總署艾姆斯研究中心的科學家傑夫．摩爾說，這些結果很有意思，但並不能證明什麼。
摩爾說：「的確有什麼事情發生，但究竟是什麼，還不清楚。」
這艘太空船自從二ＯＯ四年起繞行土星，觀察土星環和其衛星。（美聯社�翻譯：袁星塵）
After steel and aluminum, US President Donald Trump has set his sights on slapping 25 percent tariffs on semiconductors, cars and pharmaceuticals. Trump has already slapped additional 10 percent tariffs on goods from China and has also threatened tariffs on Canada and Mexico, plus ordered a study into putting into place reciprocal tariffs. Here’s a look who would be hit the hardest if US import tariffs on semiconductors, cars and pharmaceuticals go into force. SEMICONDUCTORS: ASIA IN THE CROSSHAIRS Semiconductors, or microchips, are the brains in our electronic devices and demand has soared with the development of AI, which
Noise pollution is a frequently underestimated environmental hazard. While hearing loss is the best-known outcome associated with noise, emerging research is uncovering how noise affects our health in other ways. From impaired memory and sleep disturbances to cardiovascular problems, the impact of noise is profound. For a start, unpleasant or excessively loud sounds can lead to stress and divert attention. Even everyday noises, such as those caused by traffic, lawnmowers, and construction work, can interfere with cognitive functions and elevate stress levels. “Our ears capture sound, but we hear with our brains,” explains Wei Sun, an audiology researcher at
A: Apart from singer Daniel Kang, more South Korean stars are coming to Taiwan in March. B: Really? Like who? A: Taeyeon of Girls’ Generation will hold a concert at the Taipei Dome on March 16. B: So she’ll set a milestone by becoming the first K-pop artist to stage a show at the venue. A: Singer Lee Mu-jin, boy group NCT 127 and girl group GFRIEND are also visiting Taiwan. I can’t wait. A: 除了姜丹尼爾，3月有不少韓星訪台。 B: 真的嗎？有誰啊？ A: 像是少女時代的太妍，3月16日即將唱進大巨蛋。 B: 成為首位破蛋的韓流歌手，這可真是一項里程碑！ A: 歌手李茂珍、男團NCT 127、女團GFRIEND 3月也要來，真是令人期待。 （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張迪）
A: My favorite K-pop superstar, Daniel Kang, will hold a concert at the Taipei Music Center. B: Wow, I’ve also been a fan since he debuted in 2017 as the “center” of the two-year limited boy group Wanna One. A: Since Daniel went solo in 2019, he has continued to shine internationally. B: When is his show taking place? A: It’s scheduled for March 1, which is my birthday. It’s the best birthday gift ever. A: 我最愛的韓星姜丹尼爾要在台北流行音樂中心開唱啦。 B: 哇，自他在2017年以2 年限定男團Wanna One「C位」出道時，我就 一直是他的粉絲。 A: 而他在2019 年單飛後，還是持續在國際上發光發熱。 B: 演唱會是哪天？ A: 日期訂在3月1日，也是我的生日。這真是最好的生日禮物！ （By Eddy Chang,
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