Scientists to Scan Titan's Atmosphere From Earth (AP)

Created by : Francis Goodwin View profile

Nov. 2, 2006 -- HONOLULU (AP) -- Scientists studying the atmosphere of Saturn's moon, Titan, hope their research will reveal clues about the nature of Earth's atmosphere billions of years ago.

Ralf Kaiser, a University of Hawaii physical chemist and associate professor, is leading the team of international scientists recently awarded a five-year, $2.5 million grant for the project from the National Science Foundation's Collaborative Research in Chemistry Program.

Titan's atmosphere is considered ideal for gaining a better understanding of the early days of Earth's atmosphere because it and proto-Earth are believed to have emerged with similar atmospheres from the solar nebula – the cloud of dust and gas from which it is believed our solar system originated.

Hydrocarbon molecules in Titan's atmospheric layers also absorb destructive ultraviolet radiation from the sun, preserving other molecules that are important for understanding the origin and evolution of the planets.