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Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Magnetically Induced Rotating Rayleigh-Taylor Instability
Published on: March 3, 2017
Titan's rotation reveals an internal ocean and changing zonal winds
Ralph D Lorenz1, Bryan W Stiles, Randolph L Kirk
1Space Department, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USA. ralph.lorenz@jhuapl.edu
Abstract:
Cassini radar observations of Saturn's moon Titan over several years show that its rotational period is changing and is different from its orbital period. The present-day rotation period difference from synchronous spin leads to a shift of approximately 0.36 degrees per year in apparent longitude and is consistent with seasonal exchange of angular momentum between the surface and Titan's dense superrotating atmosphere, but only if Titan's crust is decoupled from the core by an internal water ocean like that on Europa.
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