Moon's Lack of Atmos. vs Titan's Abundance

In summary, the moons of Jupiter and Saturn, as well as Uranus and Neptune, have very little atmosphere due to their cold temperatures and weak gravitational fields. However, Saturn's largest moon, Titan, has a significant atmosphere despite its small size because it is closer to the sun and has a higher surface temperature. Compared to Earth's moon, which has a much lower surface temperature and therefore a much thinner atmosphere, Titan's atmosphere is about 1.5 times the pressure of Earth's.
  • #1
danihel
39
0
hello, how come moon is too small to hold any atmosphere and titan has so much atmosphere?
 
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  • #2
The moons of Jupiter and Saturn, and for that matter Uranus and Neptune are quite cold because of their distance from the sun. Temperature means that gas molecules do not necessarily achieve escape velocity even in a weak gravitational fields. The further away, the colder the ambient temperature.

Titan (Saturn's largest moon)
Mass 1/45 that of Earth (1.3455 x 1023 kg)
Surface temperature 94K (-180 °C)
Atmospheric pressure at surface 1500 mbar (1.5 times Earth's)

http://www.esa.int/esaMI/Cassini-Huygens/SEMMF2HHZTD_0.html

http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/profile.cfm?Object=Titan


Earth's moon
http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/profile.cfm?Display=Facts&Object=Moon
Mass 7.3483 x 1022 kg

Minimum/Maximum Surface Temperature
Metric: -233/123 °C
English: -387/253 °F
SI: 40/396 K
 
  • #3
thanks a lot for such a clear answer
 

Related to Moon's Lack of Atmos. vs Titan's Abundance

1. What is the main difference between the lack of atmosphere on the Moon and the abundance of atmosphere on Titan?

The main difference between the Moon and Titan's atmosphere is their composition. The Moon has a very thin and virtually non-existent atmosphere, while Titan has a dense atmosphere primarily made up of nitrogen and methane.

2. Why does the Moon have such a small amount of atmosphere compared to Titan?

The Moon's lack of atmosphere can be attributed to its smaller size and weaker gravitational pull. Without a strong enough gravitational force, the Moon is unable to hold onto gases and maintain an atmosphere.

3. How does the lack of atmosphere on the Moon affect its surface?

The lack of atmosphere on the Moon means that it does not have a protective layer against solar radiation and meteor impacts. This results in a barren and heavily cratered surface with extreme temperature variations.

4. How does the abundance of atmosphere on Titan affect its surface?

The dense atmosphere on Titan provides a protective layer for the surface, shielding it from solar radiation and meteor impacts. It also allows for weather patterns and the formation of liquid methane lakes on the surface.

5. Can the differences in atmosphere between the Moon and Titan be explained by their distance from the Sun?

No, the distance from the Sun is not the sole factor in determining the differences in atmosphere between the Moon and Titan. Other factors such as size, composition, and geological activity also play a significant role in the formation and maintenance of an atmosphere on a celestial body.

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