News Planetary Science

Cassini finds liquid ethane on Titan

Saturn’s largest moon has a hydrocarbon lake

By Ron Cowen

- More than 2 years ago

Anyone diving into the extraterrestrial lake known as Ontario Lacus would find an oil baron’s dream. The chilly reservoir, located on the south pole of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, is composed of a key component of crude oil — liquid ethane.

ETHANE ONTARIO The dark feature in this composite infrared view of Titan’s south pole depicts a lakelike feature called Ontario Lacus.