SATURN FROM TITAN Painting

SATURN FROM TITAN Oil on canvas, 12 x 12 inches, 2020 Saturn appears in Titan's equatorial sky during a rare break in the moon's thick organic haze. As methane rain showers recede into the distance, a transient lake of methane, dissolved nitrogen, and ethane forms. The methane and nitrogen soon evaporate, leaving behind precipitated ethane ice which slowly sublimates. Just another balmy tropical afternoon on Titan... Titan is the largest moon of Saturn and one of the largest natural satellites in the Solar System. It has a thick atmosphere, with 1.45 times the surface pressure of Earth's, made of mainly nitrogen, like Earth's. Because of this thick atmosphere, humans could survive on Titan without wearing a pressure suit. Temperatures on Titan are, however, extremely low: -180°C (-292°F), and winds can be strong. So warm, insulating clothing would be required. The atmosphere also contains methane and other toxic organic compounds, and no oxygen, so a chemical sealing suit with a face-sealing oxygen mask would be needed. Surface gravity on Titan is only 13.8% of that on Earth, or 83.5% of that on our Moon. Titan is one of the most exciting places for humans to explore. Complex organic chemistry has been evolving there for eons and may offer insights into prebiotic chemistry, chemistry that leads up to life... This is my first painting of Titan, Saturn's mysterious moon. Signed by the artist at lower right and on the back. Artist’s label affixed to the back. Framed by the artist in a chrome metal and wood frame. Frame is easy to remove.