Fact Check: here are only two worlds in the Solar System that have stable bodies of liquid on its surface (not counting subsurface!)

Fact-Check Article: "There are only two worlds in the Solar System that have stable bodies of liquid on its surface (not counting subsurface!)"

What We Know

The claim states that only two worlds in our Solar System have stable bodies of liquid on their surfaces, excluding subsurface bodies. According to NOAA, Earth is the only known celestial body with consistent and stable bodies of liquid water on its surface. While moons such as Europa and Enceladus are believed to have subsurface oceans, they do not have stable liquid water on their surfaces due to their icy crusts.

Saturn's moon Titan is unique in that it has lakes and seas filled with liquid hydrocarbons, specifically methane and ethane, rather than water. A study from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory confirms that Titan possesses surface lakes and seas, but these are not composed of water. Therefore, Titan does not meet the criteria of having stable bodies of liquid water on its surface.

In summary, the only world with stable bodies of liquid water on its surface is Earth, while Titan has stable bodies of liquid hydrocarbons.

Analysis

The claim that only two worlds have stable bodies of liquid on their surfaces is misleading. While Titan does have stable bodies of liquid, they are not water, which is a critical distinction. The information provided by NASA emphasizes that Earth is the only celestial body known to have stable bodies of liquid water on its surface.

The distinction between liquid water and other liquids (like hydrocarbons) is essential in this context. The Wikipedia entry on extraterrestrial liquid water reiterates that Earth is the only celestial body with stable liquid water on its surface, while other bodies may have subsurface oceans or lakes of different substances.

The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is high. NOAA, NASA, and peer-reviewed studies provide well-researched and scientifically validated information. The distinction between stable bodies of liquid water and other types of liquids is critical for understanding the claim's validity.

Conclusion

The claim that "there are only two worlds in the Solar System that have stable bodies of liquid on its surface" is True in the context of stable bodies of liquid water. However, if we consider the broader definition of "liquid," including hydrocarbons, then Titan could be included. Nonetheless, since the claim specifies "not counting subsurface," it is accurate to conclude that only Earth has stable bodies of liquid water on its surface.

Sources

1. Are there oceans on other planets?
2. The Mysterious 'Lakes' on Saturn's Moon Titan
3. Ocean Worlds: Water in the Solar System and Beyond
4. Unraveling Water Mysteries Beyond Earth
5. Extraterrestrial liquid water
6. Titan (moon)
7. The 23 Moons and Planets With Water in Our Solar System
8. Do celestial objects need to be big to have liquid water on their surfaces?