Illustration of the ESA's (European Space Agency) Huygens probe descending toward the surface of Titan, the largest moon of Saturn. The probe, measuri
Illustration of the ESA's (European Space Agency) Huygens probe descending toward the surface of Titan, the largest moon of Saturn. The probe, measuring metres in width, was brought to Titan by NASA's (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Cassini spacecraft (launched in 1997, not shown). On 14 January 2005, the probe penetrated Titan's atmosphere and collected data during its 2 hour, 27 minute, 13 second descent to the surface. Huygens is seen here under it's diameter main parachute, which limits the descent speed to 580 kilometres/hour. The probe discovered that Titan's atmosphere is primarily made up of nitrogen, with the existence of methane and ethane clouds.
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Photo credit: © ***DEPENDS ON PIC***/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
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