|
|||||
|
|
The sand seas of Titan: Cassini RADAR observations of longitudinal dunes |
|
| Authors: | Lorenz R D Wall S Radebaugh J Boubin G Reffet E Janssen M Stofan E Lopes R Kirk R Elachi C Lunine J Mitchell K Paganelli F Soderblom L Wood C Wye L Zebker H Anderson Y Ostro S Allison M Boehmer R Callahan P Encrenaz P Ori G G Francescetti G Gim Y Hamilton G Hensley S Johnson W Kelleher K Muhleman D Picardi G Posa F Roth L Seu R Shaffer S Stiles B Vetrella S Flamini E West R |
| Institution: | Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA. rlorenz@lpl.arizona.edu |
| Abstract: | The most recent Cassini RADAR images of Titan show widespread regions (up to 1500 kilometers by 200 kilometers) of near-parallel radar-dark linear features that appear to be seas of longitudinal dunes similar to those seen in the Namib desert on Earth. The Ku-band (2.17-centimeter wavelength) images show approximately 100-meter ridges consistent with duneforms and reveal flow interactions with underlying hills. The distribution and orientation of the dunes support a model of fluctuating surface winds of approximately 0.5 meter per second resulting from the combination of an eastward flow with a variable tidal wind. The existence of dunes also requires geological processes that create sand-sized (100- to 300-micrometer) particulates and a lack of persistent equatorial surface liquids to act as sand traps. |
| Keywords: | |
| 本文献已被 PubMed 等数据库收录！ | |