A study published in Nature has challenged the longstanding belief that Titan, Saturn's moon, contains a vast ocean beneath its icy surface. Researchers from the University of Washington conducted a new analysis of tidal perturbations and found indications against the presence of a global ocean, although they do not dismiss the existence of smaller bodies of liquid water.
The findings represent a significant shift in understanding Titan's geology, as noted by study co-author Baptiste Journaux. He remarked that the unexpected results prompted thorough discussions and validations within the research team before submission for peer review.
Previously, data from NASA's Cassini mission, which operated from 2004 to 2017, suggested the presence of a subsurface ocean. However, this new analysis utilized advanced techniques to reassess Cassini's radiometric measurements, leading to a revised understanding of Titan's internal structure.
While this new perspective diverges from the conventional view, Journaux emphasized that it does not exclude the possibility of environments conducive to life, where liquid water could exist alongside energy sources over geological timescales.