Two recent studies based on data from NASA’s Cassini spacecraft scrutinize the complex chemical activity on the surface of Saturn’s moon Titan. One key finding comes from a new paper in Icarus that predicts a strong flux of hydrogen in the atmosphere, but a lack of it at the surface. The other paper, in the Journal of Geophysical Research maps deposits of many hydrocarbons on Titan’s surface and shows a lack of acetylene, contrary to expectations. They also found little evidence for exposed water ice on the surface.

The depletions of hydrogen and acetylene present an opportunity to speculate about the possibility of life or a prebiotic process on Titan that is responsible for these observations. Astrobiologist Chris McKay of NASA Ames Research Center has published a commentary on these results and speculations, which in its conclusions, lists life as the least likely explanation for these findings.