Bouncing on Titan

Bouncing on Titan , a new analysis reveals. The findings provide novel insight into the nature of the moon's surface. Bouncing on Titan Scientists reconstructed the chain of events by analysing data from a variety of instruments that were active during the impact, in particular changes in the acceleration experienced by the probe. The instrument data were compared with results from computer simulations and a drop test using a model of Huygens designed to replicate the landing. The analysis reveals that, on first with Titan's surface, Huygens dug a hole 12 cm deep, before bouncing out onto a flat surface. The probe, tilted by about 10 degrees in the direction of motion, then slid 30-40 cm across the surface. It slowed due to friction with the surface and, upon coming to its final resting place, wobbled back and forth five times, with each wobble about half as large as the previous one.