Saturn's moon Titan is veiled by a thick orange mist, containing a wide range of organic molecules, dubbed "tholins" by the late Carl Sagan. These molecules contain aromatic rings and nitrogen and are complex enough to be of interest for astrobiologists as potential pre-biological compounds.

Researchers analysing measurements from a number of Cassini flybys have now obtained first insights into the formation and distribution of these molecules in Titan's atmosphere. Read my story here:

http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2007/May/11050701.asp

Astrobiology: A Brief Introduction Por Kevin W. Plaxco Fecha de publicación: By 11 May, 2006