Objective A set of liquid hydrocarbon lakes and lake basins has been discovered in Titan's high latitudes. The lakes exhibit a dramatic hemispheric asymmetry; significant area fractions of the northern high latitudes are covered by lakes, while the same southern latitudes are largely devoid of such features. We consider the hypothesis and its consequences that in addition to known seasonal changes, the observed difference in lake distribution may be caused by an asymmetry in the seasons owing to the orbit. Due to Saturn's eccentricity, the instantaneous solar insolation received at Titan is asymmetric. The asymmetry drives a hemispheric difference in evaporation minus precipitation, and hence, in the accumulation of lakes on Titan's northern and southern surfaces. The effect is modulated by, and reverses with, dynamical variations in the orbit. In this picture, much like in Earth's climate and glacial cycles, the resulting vigorous hydrologic cycle has a period of tens of thousands of years. We seek to answer the following fundamental questions:1. To what extent do Titan's varying orbital parameters control the long-term volatile transport and surface reservoirs?2. How do Titan's lakes and seas respond to seasonal forcing?3. What is the relative role of subsurface transport of methane and ethane?4. What constraints and general properties may be derived in order to better understand Titan's overall climatologic and hydrologic evolution? Fields of science natural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyplanetary sciencesnatural satellites Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2012-CIG - Marie-Curie Action: "Career Integration Grants" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2012-CIG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG) Coordinator WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE EU contribution € 100 000,00 Address HERZL STREET 234 7610001 Rehovot Israel See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Gabi Bernstein (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data