Could Saturn's largest moon, Titan, has a giant ocean below its surface? At least such is the opinion of the researchers from the Royal Observatory of Belgium in Brussels.
The research team used radar from space shuttle NASA Cassini to 'peek' behind the thin atmosphere of Titan.
They found that, after some time, some parts of the surface of Titan shifted up to 19 miles (30.57 kilometers). According to them, this shift is due to Titan's surface is above the liquid form of water and ammonia.
Besides Earth, Titan is known to have liquid on its surface. If the alleged 'deep underground' is proven true, it would increase the chances of having a life that month.
Not only that, based on data transmitted by Cassini, Titan's rotation axis is also experiencing a shift of up to 0.3 degrees. According to the research team, a shift of this axis is proof that Titan is not entirely made of hard or solid material.
Titan it allegedly has a shell of ice that is above the sea water, ice caps and the center of the planet is frozen and rocky. Similarly, as reported by the Daily Mail.
One of the researchers, Rose-Marie Baland, said, "These findings turn what we know about other planets and satellites and planetary formation process."
However, researchers also consider other possibilities if the Titan hit by a comet or asteroid recently, causing its rotation axis to shift.
But it seems they are still determined to prove that Titan is a giant ocean hidden beneath its surface. They indicated that sea has a depth of 3 to 265 miles (4-426 km).
"Our analysis strengthens the possibility that Titan store ocean beneath its surface. But it is not yet certain. So banyaak still work to do, "added Baland.
These findings will be published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics