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Huygens Landed with a 'Splat'
There were three scenarios for the landing on Titan, assuming all went well with the hardware itself. The Huygens probe could land on solid ground, in mud, or in liquid like a lake or even ocean. The three choices could be summarized as: Would humanity's first encounter with another planet's moon end with a thud, splat or splash?
There were three scenarios for the landing on Titan, assuming all went well with the hardware itself. The Huygens probe could land on solid ground, in mud, or in liquid like a lake or even ocean. The three choices could be summarized as: Would humanity's first encounter with another planet's moon end with a thud, splat or splash?
Lakefront Landing in Crème Brulé
For the first time, humans have gotten a close-up look at Titan, the planet-sized moon. Huygens, scientists say, has landed in soil with the consistency of wet sand or clay. The scenery surrounding the landing site resembles a postcard panorama of undeveloped lakefront property, hand-tinted in pastel shades of orange.
For the first time, humans have gotten a close-up look at Titan, the planet-sized moon. Huygens, scientists say, has landed in soil with the consistency of wet sand or clay. The scenery surrounding the landing site resembles a postcard panorama of undeveloped lakefront property, hand-tinted in pastel shades of orange.
Titan: Piercing the Fog
The first color-processed images from Titan have beamed down to Earth from over two billion miles away. To complete the sensory exploration of this alien moon, a microphone onboard the probe captured the sounds of rushing air from the atmosphere closest in density to our own.
The first color-processed images from Titan have beamed down to Earth from over two billion miles away. To complete the sensory exploration of this alien moon, a microphone onboard the probe captured the sounds of rushing air from the atmosphere closest in density to our own.
Did Fluid Once Flow on Titan?
With the latest Titan images showing channels and fluid-like branching, scientists have begun the debate anew whether fluid might have shaped the Earth-like moon. Imaging science team leader for Cassini, Carolyn Porco, describes the initial surprise and excitement of seeing Titan up close.
With the latest Titan images showing channels and fluid-like branching, scientists have begun the debate anew whether fluid might have shaped the Earth-like moon. Imaging science team leader for Cassini, Carolyn Porco, describes the initial surprise and excitement of seeing Titan up close.
Titan Close Up
The European Space Agency has released the first 3 of several hundred images captured by the Huygens probe during its descent through the atmosphere of Saturn's giant moon Titan. They reveal a world of diverse landforms, shaped at least in part by fluid erosion. Two of the images are reminiscent of early photographs of Mars.
The European Space Agency has released the first 3 of several hundred images captured by the Huygens probe during its descent through the atmosphere of Saturn's giant moon Titan. They reveal a world of diverse landforms, shaped at least in part by fluid erosion. Two of the images are reminiscent of early photographs of Mars.
First Landing, Outer Solar System
Huygens is mankind's first successful attempt to land a probe on another a world in the outer Solar System. Today, after its seven-year journey through the Solar System on board the Cassini spacecraft, the Huygens probe has successfully descended through the atmosphere of Titan, Saturn's largest moon, and safely landed on its surface.
Huygens is mankind's first successful attempt to land a probe on another a world in the outer Solar System. Today, after its seven-year journey through the Solar System on board the Cassini spacecraft, the Huygens probe has successfully descended through the atmosphere of Titan, Saturn's largest moon, and safely landed on its surface.
Huygens, Phone Home
Huygens appears to be on track for its historic descent through Titan's atmosphere later today. The first of Huygens' images is expected to arrive on Earth shortly after 5:00 pm GMT (11:00 am EST).
Huygens appears to be on track for its historic descent through Titan's atmosphere later today. The first of Huygens' images is expected to arrive on Earth shortly after 5:00 pm GMT (11:00 am EST).
Titan: Looking Back to the Future
As the Huygens probe nears its mission endpoint, the concept of trying to land an instrument on the supercold Earth-like moon, Titan, seems enough to engender wonder. But looking back over its conception at least two decades ago, the probe's trajectory stands out as a gem of planetary exploration.
As the Huygens probe nears its mission endpoint, the concept of trying to land an instrument on the supercold Earth-like moon, Titan, seems enough to engender wonder. But looking back over its conception at least two decades ago, the probe's trajectory stands out as a gem of planetary exploration.
Rendezvous with Titan
For nearly a decade, scientists around the world have been waiting patiently for the European Space Agency's Huygens probe to arrive at its destination: Saturn's giant moon Titan. Now, as the Huygens science team gathers at ESA's control center in Darmstadt, Germany, that wait is almost over. In less than 24 hours, Huygens will descend down through Titan's thick shroud of fog, taking a host of measurements along the way.
For nearly a decade, scientists around the world have been waiting patiently for the European Space Agency's Huygens probe to arrive at its destination: Saturn's giant moon Titan. Now, as the Huygens science team gathers at ESA's control center in Darmstadt, Germany, that wait is almost over. In less than 24 hours, Huygens will descend down through Titan's thick shroud of fog, taking a host of measurements along the way.
Aiming for Safe Harbor
During its descent towards the surface of Saturn's moon Titan, the Huygens probe will image the landscape surrounding its landing target. Zooming in on what lies underneath the thick haze can offer only surprises since little is known about the basic liquid, solid or swampy composition.
During its descent towards the surface of Saturn's moon Titan, the Huygens probe will image the landscape surrounding its landing target. Zooming in on what lies underneath the thick haze can offer only surprises since little is known about the basic liquid, solid or swampy composition.
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