Descent images...


 


New images from the descent of Huygens toward Titan:



Here is the first color image. I still think it looks like the Mars images that Viking sent back:

This image was returned Friday, Jan.14, 2005, by ESA's Huygens probe during its successful descent to land on Titan. This is the coloured view, following processing to add reflection spectra data, gives a better indication of the actual colour of the surface. Initially thought to be rocks or ice blocks, they are more pebble-sized. The two rock-like objects just below the middle of the image are about 15 centimetres (left) and 4 centimetres (center) across respectively, at a distance of about 85 centimetres from Huygens. The surface is darker than originally expected, consisting of a mixture of water and hydrocarbon ice. There is also evidence of erosion at the base of these objects, indicating possible fluvial activity.
All images credit: ESA/NASA/Univ. of Arizona

Update: Here are some more images.


Posted: Saturday - January 15, 2005 at 11:58          


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