“The best explanation for the findings is that Titan’s ice shell is rigid and that relatively small topographic features on the surface are associated with large roots extending into the underlying ocean,” explained study lead author Dr Douglas Hemingway of the University of California, Santa Cruz, and his colleagues, who reported the results in a paper published in the journal Nature.
The scientists used new data from NASA’s Cassini spacecraft. They were surprised to find a negative correlation between the gravity and topography signals on Titan.
“Normally, if you fly over a mountain, you expect to see an increase in gravity due to the extra mass of the mountain. On Titan, when you fly over a mountain the gravity gets lower. That’s a very odd observation,” said study co-author Prof Francis Nimmo, also from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Cassini Sees Rigid, Weathered Ice Shell on Titan
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