Astronomy Cast Episode 201: Titan

Astronomy Cast Episode 201: Titan
              Titan is planet Saturn's best known moon. However, it is not so famous only for its size.  Titan is also famous for its possibility of future life.  Titan has long been thought to look like Earth when it was in its early stages. Recent studies have found both amino acids and nucleotide bases on the moon as well, which are the basic building blocks of Earth's life.  Recent discoveries have found to be even more promising than expected, showing signs of both high energy oxygen ions as well as molecular ions in the atmosphere.  If the oxygen ions were to join with these molecular ions, it could be very possible that the conditions for life would be possible.  However, the top region of Titan receives intense radiation that could possibly break apart these molecules, having potential and unknown dangers that researches are trying to determine.  Additionally, Titan has been well known for its possession of hydrocarbons that cycle from the atmosphere to the surface like rain does, however remaining in the form of organic chemicals.  These, along with many other signs, all point to the same theory. Life on Titan may be possible, however scientists from all over want to be very clear that just because it is thought to be possible does not mean it currently exists.