MODEL OF TITAN'S ATMOSPHERE

• Titan presents an environment that appears to be unique in the solar system, with a thick, hazy atmosphere containing organic (or carbon-based) compounds, an organic ocean or lakes, and a rich soil filled with frozen molecules similar to what scientists believe led to the origin of life on Earth. The major differences between Titan and Earth are Titan's absence very low temperatures and an absence of liquid water. Scientists believe that the surface temperatures on Titan are cold enough to preclude any biological activity whatsoever at Titan.

As on Earth, the dominant atmospheric constituent in Titan's atmosphere is nitrogen. Methane represents about six percent of the atmosphere. Titan's surface pressure is 1.6 times that on Earth, despite Titan's smaller size. The surface temperature was found by Voyager to be 95 degrees Kelvin (minus 289 degrees Fahrenheit).