By Ron Cowen
While observing a rare celestial alignment, astronomers made the first X-ray measurement of the atmosphere of Titan, Saturn’s most tantalizing moon. Titan is the only moon in the solar system known to have an atmosphere, and the new study suggests that its atmosphere could be bigger than previous observations had indicated.
Scientists preparing for the robotic Cassini mission, scheduled to begin touring Saturn and its moons this July, are paying close attention to the findings for guidance on the craft’s flight plan.