Cassini spots liquid-filled canyons on Titan

The Cassini spacecraft has located a unique geological feature on Saturn's moon Titan.

A recent NASA news release describes the structures as "deep, steep-sided canyons...that are flooded with liquid hydrocarbons."

The article goes on to state that, "the finding represents the first direct evidence of the presence of liquid-filled channels on Titan, as well as the first observation of canyons hundreds of meters deep."

Cassini made the observation during a May 2013 flyover which focused on the area around Titan's sea, Ligeia Mare.

Based on the collected data, astronomers have determined that the adjacent channels are actually canyons estimated to be less than half a mile wide and 790 to 1,870 feet deep.

These channels are believed to contain liquid due to their dark coloring on radar images.

The research team also suspects that the deep cuts in the terrain were likely created by prolonged geologic activity or by faster erosion compared to other areas.

The plan going forward is to continue studying Titan's other channels in addition to its overall landscape.

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