Bubble streams in Titan's seas as product of liquid N2-CH4-C2H6 cryogenic mixture

Abstract

Titan, Saturn's largest moon, is the only extraterrestrial body known to support stable liquid on its surface, in the form of seas and lakes that dot the polar regions. Many indications suggest that the liquid should be composed of a mixture of N2, CH4 and C2H6. Recent RADAR observations of Titan's large sea, called ``Ligeia Mare'', have shown unexplained and ephemeral bright features, possibly due to rising bubbles. Here we report that our numerical model, when combined with experimental data found in the literature, shows that Ligeia Mare's bed is a favourable place for nitrogen exsolution. This process could produce centimeter-sized and radar-detectable bubbles.

Accepted in Nature Astronomy

References in corpus (1)

• Structure of Titan's evaporites

Cited by in corpus (7)

• Surface Energy of the Titan Aerosol Analog "Tholin"
• The floatability of aerosols and waves damping on Titan's seas
• Material Properties of Organic Liquids, Ices, and Hazes on Titan
• The Fate of Simple Organics on Titan's Surface: A Theoretical Perspective
• Bubbles in Titan's seas: nucleation, growth and RADAR signature
• Vertical compositional variations of liquid hydrocarbons in Titan's alkanofers
• Science goals and new mission concepts for future exploration of Titan's atmosphere geology and habitability: Titan POlar Scout/orbitEr and In situ lake lander and DrONe explorer (POSEIDON)