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The sand seas of Titan: Cassini RADAR observations of longitudinal dunes.
- Source :
-
Science (New York, N.Y.) [Science] 2006 May 05; Vol. 312 (5774), pp. 724-7. - Publication Year :
- 2006
-
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.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1095-9203
- Volume :
- 312
- Issue :
- 5774
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Science (New York, N.Y.)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 16675695
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1123257