Finally, we’re getting some interesting news out of the Cassini-Huygens probe mission. Exactly three years since I last called for full disclosure from NASA and the ESA on the details of their mission to Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, National Geographic is reporting the discovery of a natural electrical field in Titan’s atmosphere. In other words, Titan has lightning.

This is actually the second big report on Titan this year; the first being the discovery of up to a hundred big black hydrocarbon lakes and seas flowing on the moon’s surface. The thick ooze that comprises Titan’s primary liquid is described as being very similar to gasoline. The atmosphere contains large quantities of methane and ethane, and it rains ash. There is even speculation regarding a massive hydrocarbon ocean beneath Titan’s surface. It’s not H₂O, but it’s still a functioning weather system.

The potential implications of these two findings are fascinating. Certainly neither humans nor most other Earth animals could survive on Titan, with its toxic atmosphere, lack of water, and extremely cold temperatures. But as we’ve only got one functioning ecosystem (Earth’s) to use as a basis of comparison, we don’t know how far the evolutionary reach of life on other planets might extend. But we can speculate. We know, for example, that carbon is extremely useful for building the complicated molecular chains that form the basis for all known lifeforms (hence the term “carbon-based life” that you so often hear in science fiction).

Further, it is thought that, on prehistoric Earth, life was sped along by similar “primordial ooze” carbon chains getting struck by lightning at opportune moments. That’s two big natural factors in the development of life that are hard to come by, already present on Titan. Might it be enough to spur on the evolution of creatures that thrive at extremely cold temperatures and swim in gasoline? When you take into account the amazing adaptability to harsh conditions found in the Extremophiles here at home, it certainly seems plausible.

And don’t forget that underground ocean that some researchers are predicting. We may yet find those intelligent methane-breathing whales that I’ve been hoping for.