Saturn’s shrouded moon Titan is coming in for an in-depth study by the Cassini-Huygens mission currently exploring the Saturn system. In order to image what lies beneath this tiny moon’s gigantic atmosphere, astronomers image it in different wavelengths of light. Using ultraviolet- and infrared-sensitive instruments to gather data about Titan’s surface, they were able to piece together this “peek beneath the veil.” Red and green colors represent infrared wavelengths and show areas where methane in Titan’s atmosphere absorbs light. Blue represents ultraviolet wavelengths and shows the high atmosphere and detached hazes.

Titan’s atmosphere extends hundreds of kilometers above the surface. What lies beneath those clouds is the target of the Huygens probe, set to descend to Titan’s surface on December 25, 2004. From this radar image, what we can see so far appears to be smooth, made of radar-absorbing materials, or possibly a region that slopes away from the direction of illumination.

The striking bright feature that stretches from upper left to lower right across this image, with connected ‘arms’ to the East could be some sort of flowing material, possibly where water-rich liquid has welled up from Titan’s warm interior. Scientists are hoping that the probe will survive long enough to give an idea about exactly what’s happening on the surface of this shrouded world. Keep your eyes turned to Titan on December 25th!