Year: 2014
Type: article
Abstract: /VIMS high-phase specular observations of Titan's north pole during the T85 flyby show evidence for isolated patches of rough liquid surface within the boundaries of the sea Punga Mare. The roughness shows typical slopes of 6°±1°. These rough areas could be either wet mudflats or a wavy sea. Because of their large areal extent, patchy geographic distribution, and uniform appearance at low phase, we prefer a waves interpretation. Applying theoretical wave calculations based on Titan conditions our slope determination allows us to infer winds of 0.76±0.09 m/s and significant wave heights of [Formula: see text] cm at the time and locations of the observation. If correct, these would represent the first waves seen on Titan's seas, and also the first extraterrestrial sea-surface waves in general.
Source: Planetary Science
Institutions: University of Idaho, California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Arizona, Cornell University, University of Miami, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives, Astrophysique, Instrumentation et Modélisation, Université Paris Diderot, Laboratoire de Planétologie et Géosciences, Université de Nantes, Nantes Université, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Space Science and Engineering Center, Bear Fight Institute
Language: English
Topic: Astro and Planetary Science
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Awards: A VARIETY OF SIMPLE AND COMPLEX ORGANICS, PHOTOCHEMICALLY DERIVED IN TITAN'S ATMOSPHERE, HAVE LONG BEEN HYPOTHESIZED TO EXIST AT THE SURFACE OF TITAN, SEAS, LAKES, CHANNEL NETWORKS AND HILLSLOPES: A COUPLED ANALYSIS TO EXPLORE THE EVOLUTION OF TITAN S POLAR LANDSCAPES. WE PROPOSE TO STUDY POLAR LAND, CASSINI VISUAL AND INFRARED MAPPING SPECTROMETER (VIMS) OBSERVATIONS FROM T69 RECENTLY REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF ORGANIC EVAPORITE DEPOSITS AT THE BOT
OpenAlex ID: W2154455944