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| Titel |
Tidal Distortion of Titan: Implications for Surface Features and Tidal Measurements |
| VerfasserIn |
F. Sohl, H. Hussmann, A. Coustenis, M. Knapmeyer, C. Lange, A. Solomonidou, K. Stephan, F. W. Wagner |
| Konferenz |
EGU General Assembly 2012
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| Medientyp |
Artikel
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| Sprache |
Englisch
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| Digitales Dokument |
PDF |
| Erschienen |
In: GRA - Volume 14 (2012) |
| Datensatznummer |
250067634
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| Zusammenfassung |
| Titan is unique due to its similarity to the Earth and terrestrial planets in spite of the satellite’s
ice-rich bulk composition. Gravitational field data acquired by the Cassini spacecraft suggest
that Titan’s interior is composed of a mixture of rock and ice and is only partly differentiated.
Titan is tidally locked with respect to Saturn and thereby subject to periodic tidal
forcing of its interior and surface. Based on interior structure models and assumptions
on rheological properties of planetary materials (i.e. ice, rock, water-ammonia
ocean), we compute the elastic body tide Love numbers h2, k2, and l2 in order
to describe Titan’s tidal response. Key parameters, e.g., tidally-induced changes
of local gravity, tilt relative to the direction of gravity, and areal strain are then
given by linear combinations of h2, k2, and l2. We find peak-to-peak amplitudes of
tidally-induced surface displacement and tilt variation on the order of up to a few tens of
metres and a few arc seconds, respectively. Based on the obtained variations of
tidal parameters, we will address possible implications for morphotectonic surface
features and compositional heterogeneity on Titan. In addition, we will address
possible measurements of global tidal distortion by using a network of several small
landed stations. Each of those would have to carry an instrument suite to monitor
tidally-induced changes of local gravity, tilt relative to the direction of gravity,
and areal strain at the surface of Titan. Furthermore, tidal stresses are expected to
induce significant seismic activity comparable to tidally-induced quakes on the
Moon, and possibly along with seismicity induced by localized cryovolcanic activity. |
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