‘Titan’s orbit is all wrong’: Something threw Saturn’s largest moon off course, and NASA is investigating

Produced by: Manoj Kumar

Titan’s Wobble

[{"selector":"#anim-897bdac3-d49b-4b18-9984-e62e64cdb623 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-20.88815771595994%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Saturn’s largest moon isn’t where it should be—something disrupted its orbit in the last 350M years. Representative pic

Cosmic Shake-Up

[{"selector":"#anim-198f513a-adfb-4bb8-b1dc-b86563ff3663 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-11.266447110518268%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] A massive impact or lost moon may have thrown Titan off course, leaving scientists puzzled. Representative pic

Tidal Clues

[{"selector":"#anim-46738948-e4f3-4689-8e1e-ac3f4b94a11d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-120377f8-28f1-4e2d-b1b9-8e03096cf482","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Saturn’s gravity is warping Titan, revealing secrets about its hidden ocean and inner structure. Representative pic

Orbit in Chaos

[{"selector":"#anim-6966fee0-5cad-48aa-b9da-8dd53aa4e34f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-16.078788599205073%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Titan should have a circular orbit by now—something unknown is keeping it off balance. Representative pic

Moonquake Mystery

[{"selector":"#anim-e6f130cc-43e4-4887-83e9-b9e6ae7041b6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(20.74688777353283%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Titan’s orbit is shifting fast on a geologic scale, hinting at a recent, dramatic space event. Representative pic

Hidden Collision?

[{"selector":"#anim-26fe9d3b-833b-4a5e-b9bd-ba7eb370eb8f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.874999829338588%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Did a long-lost celestial body crash into Titan? New research suggests a major past disturbance. Representative pic

Gravity’s Grip

[{"selector":"#anim-293ab7e9-507e-4630-a043-0f637e47fe6f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-139b8fb2-ff81-423e-bd28-6397d6c1ea4d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 100.05279%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Titan’s spin axis holds evidence of extreme tidal forces shaping its future and past. Representative pic

Echoes of Destruction

[{"selector":"#anim-9837be6c-b8dc-4a9f-9e87-13e5ce257076 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(21.874999829338595%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Something shook Titan in the last 350M years—scientists are racing to uncover what happened. Representative pic

Unfinished Journey

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