Prerequisites for Explosive Cryovolcanism on Dwarf Planet-Class Kuiper Belt Objects ⇑ M
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Cassini RADAR Images at Hotei Arcus and Western Xanadu, Titan: Evidence for Geologically Recent Cryovolcanic Activity S
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, VOL. 36, L04203, doi:10.1029/2008GL036415, 2009 Click Here for Full Article Cassini RADAR images at Hotei Arcus and western Xanadu, Titan: Evidence for geologically recent cryovolcanic activity S. D. Wall,1 R. M. Lopes,1 E. R. Stofan,2 C. A. Wood,3 J. L. Radebaugh,4 S. M. Ho¨rst,5 B. W. Stiles,1 R. M. Nelson,1 L. W. Kamp,1 M. A. Janssen,1 R. D. Lorenz,6 J. I. Lunine,5 T. G. Farr,1 G. Mitri,1 P. Paillou,7 F. Paganelli,2 and K. L. Mitchell1 Received 21 October 2008; revised 5 January 2009; accepted 8 January 2009; published 24 February 2009. [1] Images obtained by the Cassini Titan Radar Mapper retention age comparable with Earth or Venus (500 Myr) (RADAR) reveal lobate, flowlike features in the Hotei [Lorenz et al., 2007]). Arcus region that embay and cover surrounding terrains and [4] Most putative cryovolcanic features are located at mid channels. We conclude that they are cryovolcanic lava flows to high northern latitudes [Elachi et al., 2005; Lopes et al., younger than surrounding terrain, although we cannot reject 2007]. They are characterized by lobate boundaries and the sedimentary alternative. Their appearance is grossly relatively uniform radar properties, with flow features similar to another region in western Xanadu and unlike most brighter than their surroundings. Cryovolcanic flows are of the other volcanic regions on Titan. Both regions quite limited in area compared to the more extensive dune correspond to those identified by Cassini’s Visual and fields [Radebaugh et al., 2008] or lakes [Hayes et al., Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) as having variable 2008]. -
Jjmonl 1802.Pmd
alactic Observer John J. McCarthy Observatory G Volume 11, No. 2 February 2018 A porpoise or a penguin or a puppet on a string? — Find out on page 19 The John J. McCarthy Observatory Galactic Observer New Milford High School Editorial Committee 388 Danbury Road Managing Editor New Milford, CT 06776 Bill Cloutier Phone/Voice: (860) 210-4117 Production & Design Phone/Fax: (860) 354-1595 www.mccarthyobservatory.org Allan Ostergren Website Development JJMO Staff Marc Polansky Technical Support It is through their efforts that the McCarthy Observatory Bob Lambert has established itself as a significant educational and recreational resource within the western Connecticut Dr. Parker Moreland community. Steve Barone Jim Johnstone Colin Campbell Carly KleinStern Dennis Cartolano Bob Lambert Route Mike Chiarella Roger Moore Jeff Chodak Parker Moreland, PhD Bill Cloutier Allan Ostergren Doug Delisle Marc Polansky Cecilia Detrich Joe Privitera Dirk Feather Monty Robson Randy Fender Don Ross Louise Gagnon Gene Schilling John Gebauer Katie Shusdock Elaine Green Paul Woodell Tina Hartzell Amy Ziffer In This Issue OUT THE WINDOW ON YOUR LEFT .................................... 4 REFERENCES ON DISTANCES ............................................ 18 VALENTINE DOME .......................................................... 4 INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION/IRIDIUM SATELLITES .......... 18 PASSING OF ASTRONAUT JOHN YOUNG ............................... 5 SOLAR ACTIVITY ........................................................... 19 FALCON HEAVY DEBUT .................................................. -
1 on the Origin of the Pluto System Robin M. Canup Southwest Research Institute Kaitlin M. Kratter University of Arizona Marc Ne
On the Origin of the Pluto System Robin M. Canup Southwest Research Institute Kaitlin M. Kratter University of Arizona Marc Neveu NASA Goddard Space Flight Center / University of Maryland The goal of this chapter is to review hypotheses for the origin of the Pluto system in light of observational constraints that have been considerably refined over the 85-year interval between the discovery of Pluto and its exploration by spacecraft. We focus on the giant impact hypothesis currently understood as the likeliest origin for the Pluto-Charon binary, and devote particular attention to new models of planet formation and migration in the outer Solar System. We discuss the origins conundrum posed by the system’s four small moons. We also elaborate on implications of these scenarios for the dynamical environment of the early transneptunian disk, the likelihood of finding a Pluto collisional family, and the origin of other binary systems in the Kuiper belt. Finally, we highlight outstanding open issues regarding the origin of the Pluto system and suggest areas of future progress. 1. INTRODUCTION For six decades following its discovery, Pluto was the only known Sun-orbiting world in the dynamical vicinity of Neptune. An early origin concept postulated that Neptune originally had two large moons – Pluto and Neptune’s current moon, Triton – and that a dynamical event had both reversed the sense of Triton’s orbit relative to Neptune’s rotation and ejected Pluto onto its current heliocentric orbit (Lyttleton, 1936). This scenario remained in contention following the discovery of Charon, as it was then established that Pluto’s mass was similar to that of a large giant planet moon (Christy and Harrington, 1978). -
Comparative Kbology: Using Surface Spectra of Triton
COMPARATIVE KBOLOGY: USING SURFACE SPECTRA OF TRITON, PLUTO, AND CHARON TO INVESTIGATE ATMOSPHERIC, SURFACE, AND INTERIOR PROCESSES ON KUIPER BELT OBJECTS by BRYAN JASON HOLLER B.S., Astronomy (High Honors), University of Maryland, College Park, 2012 B.S., Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, 2012 M.S., Astronomy, University of Colorado, 2015 A thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Colorado in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences 2016 This thesis entitled: Comparative KBOlogy: Using spectra of Triton, Pluto, and Charon to investigate atmospheric, surface, and interior processes on KBOs written by Bryan Jason Holler has been approved for the Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences Dr. Leslie Young Dr. Fran Bagenal Date The final copy of this thesis has been examined by the signatories, and we find that both the content and the form meet acceptable presentation standards of scholarly work in the above mentioned discipline. ii ABSTRACT Holler, Bryan Jason (Ph.D., Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences) Comparative KBOlogy: Using spectra of Triton, Pluto, and Charon to investigate atmospheric, surface, and interior processes on KBOs Thesis directed by Dr. Leslie Young This thesis presents analyses of the surface compositions of the icy outer Solar System objects Triton, Pluto, and Charon. Pluto and its satellite Charon are Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs) while Triton, the largest of Neptune’s satellites, is a former member of the KBO population. Near-infrared spectra of Triton and Pluto were obtained over the previous 10+ years with the SpeX instrument at the IRTF and of Charon in Summer 2015 with the OSIRIS instrument at Keck. -
Educators' Guide
Educators’ Guide 2018-2019 Dear Educators, The 2020-2021 Educators’ Guide is packed full of exciting opportunities for you and your stu- dents. Come to the Herrett Center to learn and engage with our museum galleries, Faulkner Planetarium, and Centennial Observatory. In this guide, you will find listings of the many programs that the Herrett Center has to offer schools, information on how to schedule class visits, and tips for how to get the most out of your trip to the Herrett Center. The Education team at the Herrett Center is always willing to work with you to find the pro- gram that is the best fit for your students and curriculum. Our mission is to create meaningful, engaging experiences, and we can’t wait to see you and your class at the museum! All the best, Kindy Combe, Education Coordinator Covid-19 and Field Trips The Herrett Center staff is committed to continuing to provide fun, educational experiences for students coming to the Herrett Center, while also providing a safe, clean environment dur- ing this pandemic. Changes have been made to how we book multiple groups, museum ex- hibits, procedures for groups in the museum, and more. Please see below for a list of changes to keep in mind when booking a field trip to the Herrett Center for Arts and Science: Personal Protection Masks or face shields are required for all school group participants, both students and adults. Staff and volunteers are required to wear face masks when engaging closely with school groups and the public. Dedicated entrances and exits have been clearly marked. -
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alactic Observer GJohn J. McCarthy Observatory Volume 8, No. 2 February 2015 Fireball From Space A Romulan plasma torpedo? . Not exactly. See inside, page 19 The John J. McCarthy Observatory Galactic Observer New Milford High School Editorial Committee 388 Danbury Road Managing Editor New Milford, CT 06776 Bill Cloutier Phone/Voice: (860) 210-4117 Production & Design Phone/Fax: (860) 354-1595 www.mccarthyobservatory.org Allan Ostergren Website Development JJMO Staff Marc Polansky It is through their efforts that the McCarthy Observatory Technical Support has established itself as a significant educational and Bob Lambert recreational resource within the western Connecticut Dr. Parker Moreland community. Steve Barone Jim Johnstone Colin Campbell Carly KleinStern Dennis Cartolano Bob Lambert Mike Chiarella Roger Moore Route Jeff Chodak Parker Moreland, PhD Bill Cloutier Allan Ostergren Cecilia Dietrich Marc Polansky Dirk Feather Joe Privitera Randy Fender Monty Robson Randy Finden Don Ross John Gebauer Gene Schilling Elaine Green Katie Shusdock Tina Hartzell Jon Wallace Tom Heydenburg Paul Woodell Amy Ziffer In This Issue OUT THE WINDOW ON YOUR LEFT ................................... 4 FEBRUARY NIGHTS ....................................................... 14 MARE TRANQUILLITATIS .................................................. 5 JUPITER AND ITS MOONS ................................................ 16 JUPITER AT OPPOSITION ................................................... 6 TRANSIT OF THE JUPITER'S RED SPOT ............................. -
Sowers NIAC Final Report
Thermal Mining of Ices on Cold Solar System Bodies NIAC Phase I Final Report February 2019 George Sowers 1 Purpose This is the final report of the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase I study: Thermal Mining of Ices on Cold Solar System Bodies. It is submitted as partial fulfillment of the obligations of the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) under grant number 80NSSC19K0964. 2 Table of Contents List of Figures 5 List of Tables 9 1.0 Executive Summary 10 2.0 Introduction 15 3.0 Solar System Survey of Thermal Mining Targets 18 3.1 Potential Thermal Mining Targets 19 3.2 Thermal Mining Beyond the Moon 32 4.0 Thermal Mining Mission Context: Lunar Polar Ice Mining 34 4.1 Lunar Polar Ice Distribution Analysis 36 4.2 System Architecture 39 4.3 Functional Analysis 42 4.4 Ice Extraction Subsystem 46 4.5 Power Subsystem 53 4.6 Deployment and Setup 55 4.7 Operations 59 4.8 Mass and Cost Estimates 66 4.8.1 Subsystem Mass Estimates 66 4.8.2 Total Mass 70 4.8.3 Subsystem Cost Estimates 71 4.8.4 Total Cost 74 4.9 Business Case Analysis 76 4.9.1 The Propellant Market 76 4.9.2 Business Case Scenarios 80 4.9.3 Business Case Results 83 4.9.4 Comparison to Previous Analysis 87 5.0 Proof of Concept Testing 91 5.1 Testing Objectives and Approach 91 5.2 Icy Regolith Simulants 91 5.3 Block 1 Testing 95 5.3.1 Block 1 Apparatus 95 5.3.2 Block 1 Methodology 96 5.3.3 Block 1 Results 97 5.4 Block 2 Testing 105 5.4.1 Block 2 Apparatus 105 5.4.2 Block 2 Methodology 105 5.4.3 Block 2 Results 105 5.5 Test Conclusions 106 6.0 Summary and Conclusions 115 6.1 Bulletized Summary 115 6.2 Conclusions 116 6.3 Recommendations for Future Work 118 7.0 References 121 8.0 Appendix A: Solar System Catalogue 129 9.0 Appendix B: Acronym List 132 3 Acknowledgements This report was prepared by George Sowers, Ross Centers, David Dickson, Adam Hugo, Curtis Purrington, and Elizabeth Scott. -
(90377) SEDNA and (90482) ORCUS1 Chadwick A
The Astrophysical Journal, 627:1057–1065, 2005 July 10 # 2005. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A. NEAR-INFRARED SURFACE PROPERTIES OF THE TWO INTRINSICALLY BRIGHTEST MINOR PLANETS: (90377) SEDNA AND (90482) ORCUS1 Chadwick A. Trujillo Gemini Observatory, Northern Operations Center, 670 North A’ohoku Place, Hilo, HI 96720; [email protected] Michael E. Brown California Institute of Technology, Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, MS 150-21, Pasadena, CA 91125; [email protected] David L. Rabinowitz Physics Department, Yale Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Yale University, P.O. Box 208121, New Haven, CT 06520-8121; [email protected] and Thomas R. Geballe Gemini Observatory, Northern Operations Center, 670 North A’ohoku Place, Hilo, HI 96720; [email protected] Received 2004 March 26; accepted 2005 March 16 ABSTRACT We present low-resolution K-band spectra taken at the Gemini 8 m telescope of (90377) Sedna and (90482) Orcus (provisional designations 2003 VB12 and 2004 DW, respectively), currently the two minor planets with the greatest absolute magnitudes (i.e., the two most reflective minor planets). We place crude limits on the surface composition of these two bodies using a Hapke model for a wide variety of assumed albedos. The unusual minor planet Sedna was discovered on UT 2003 November 14 at roughly 90 AU, with 1.6 times the heliocentric and perihelion dis- tances of any other bound minor planet. It is the first solar system object discovered between the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud and may represent a transition population between the two. -
On the Irrelevance of Being a PLUTO! Size Scale of Stars and Planets
On the irrelevance of being a PLUTO! Mayank Vahia DAA, TIFR Irrelevance of being Pluto 1 Size Scale of Stars and Planets Irrelevance of being Pluto 2 1 1 AU 700 Dsun Irrelevance of being Pluto 3 16 Dsun Irrelevance of being Pluto 4 2 Solar System 109 DEarth Irrelevance of being Pluto 5 11 DEarth Venus Irrelevance of being Pluto 6 3 Irrelevance of being Pluto 7 Solar System visible to unaided eye Irrelevance of being Pluto 8 4 Solar System at the beginning of 20 th Century Irrelevance of being Pluto 9 Solar System of my text book (30 years ago) Irrelevance of being Pluto 10 5 Asteroid Belt (Discovered in 1977) Irrelevance of being Pluto 11 The ‘Planet’ Pluto • Pluto is a 14 th magnitude object. • It is NOT visible to naked eye (neither are Uranus and Neptune). • It was discovered by American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh in 1930. Irrelevance of being Pluto 12 6 Prediction of Pluto • Percival Lowell and William H. Pickering are credited with the theoretical work on Pluto’s orbit done in 1909 based on data of Neptune’s orbital changes. • Venkatesh Ketakar had predicted it in May 1911 issue of Bulletin of the Astronomical Society of France. • He modelled his computations after those of Pierre-Simon Laplace who had analysed the motions of the satellites of Jupiter. • His location was within 1 o of its correct location. • He had predicted ts orbital period was 242.28 (248) years and a distance of 38.95 (39.53) A.U. • He had also predicted another planet at 59.573 A.U. -
Tnos Mueller
TNOs are Cool: A Survey of the Transneptunian Region Thomas M¨uller& The TNOs-are-Cool Team MPE Garching (37 members, 19 institutes, 9 countries) 1 Thomas M¨uller TNOs are Cool! • OT KP with 370 hours Overview • PACS and SPIRE photometric point-source observations • characterisation of about 140 Trans-Neptunian Objects (with known orbits) • target with a few mJy up to 400 mJy • Key element: highly reliable photometric ac- curacy in 3 (6) bands • time-critical observations with follow-on constraint (confusion noise) 2 Science Goals in a Nut Shell • Radiometric size and albedo solutions - accurate sizes (! volumes) of TNOs ! primordial (D> 200 km) size distribution - accurate spectroscopic and polarimetric modeling - albedo vs Size vs Colour vs Composition vs Orbit vs Binarity vs ... ! probe formation and evolution processes • Thermophysical properties (from 3 to 6 Pacs/Spire bands) - temperatures & thermal inertia ! ice vs rock surface, surface type - emissivity ! grain size information - beaming parameter ! surface roughness • Binary densities: mass from Ke- • Thermal lightcurves pler's 3rd law, volume from Herschel ! disentangle albedo/shape ! basic geophysical parameter ! spin-axis orientation ! interior structure/composition ! thermal inertia ! binary formation mechanism ! large surface structures 3 Thomas M¨uller TNOs are Cool! Herschel Study of the Kuiperbelt & TNOs: ! a benchmark for understanding the solar system debris disk, and extra-solar ones as well! M¨uller et al. 2009, Earth, Moon & Planet 105, 209-219 4 Thomas M¨uller TNOs -
Destination Dwarf Planets: a Panel Discussion
Destination Dwarf Planets: A Panel Discussion OPAG, August 2019 Convened: Orkan Umurhan (SETI/NASA-ARC) Co-Panelists: Walt Harris (LPL, UA) Kathleen Mandt (JHUAPL) Alan Stern (SWRI) Dwarf Planets/KBO: a rogues gallery Triton Unifying Story for these bodies awaits Perihelio n/ Diamet Aphelion DocumentGoals 09.2018) from OPAG (Taken Name Surface characteristics Other observations/ hypotheses Moons er (km) /Current Distance (AU) Eris ~2326 P=38 Appears almost white, albedo of 0.96, higher Largest KBO by mass second Dysnomia A=98 than any other large Solar System body except by size. Models of internal C=96 Enceledus. Methane ice appears to be quite radioactive decay indicate evenly spread over the surface that a subsurface water ocean may be stable Haumea ~1600 P=35 Displays a white surface with an albedo of 0.6- Is a triaxial ellipsoid, with its Hi’iaka and A=51 0.8 , and a large, dark red area . Surface shows major axis twice as long as Namaka C=51 the presence of crystalline water ice (66%-80%) , the minor. Rapid rotation (~4 but no methane, and may have undergone hrs), high density, and high resurfacing in the last 10 Myr. Hydrogen cyanide, albedo may be the result of a phyllosilicate clays, and inorganic cyanide salts giant collision. Has the only may be present , but organics are no more than ring system known for a TNO. 8% 2007 OR10 ~1535 P=33 Amongst the reddest objects known, perhaps due May retain a thin methane S/(225088) A=101 to the abundant presence of methane frosts atmosphere 1 C=87 (tholins?) across the surface.Surface also show the presence of water ice. -
Estimating Erosional Exhumation on Titan from Drainage Network Morphology
Estimating erosional exhumation on Titan from drainage network morphology The MIT Faculty has made this article openly available. Please share how this access benefits you. Your story matters. Citation Black, Benjamin A., J. Taylor Perron, Devon M. Burr, and Sarah A. Drummond. “Estimating Erosional Exhumation on Titan from Drainage Network Morphology.” Journal of Geophysical Research 117, no. E8 (2012). Copyright © 2012 American Geophysical Union As Published http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2012je004085 Publisher American Geophysical Union (AGU) Version Final published version Citable link http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/85624 Terms of Use Article is made available in accordance with the publisher's policy and may be subject to US copyright law. Please refer to the publisher's site for terms of use. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, VOL. 117, E08006, doi:10.1029/2012JE004085, 2012 Estimating erosional exhumation on Titan from drainage network morphology Benjamin A. Black,1 J. Taylor Perron,1 Devon M. Burr,2 and Sarah A. Drummond2 Received 20 March 2012; revised 15 June 2012; accepted 26 June 2012; published 15 August 2012. [1] Drainage networks on Titan, Earth, and Mars provide the only known examples of non-volcanic fluvial activity in our solar system. The drainage networks on Titan are apparently the result of a methane-ethane cycle similar to Earth’s water cycle. The scarcity of impact craters and the uneven distribution of fluvial dissection on Titan suggest that the surface may be relatively young. The purpose of this study is to assess the importance of erosion relative to other plausible mechanisms of resurfacing such as tectonic deformation, cryovolcanism, or deposition of aerosols.