In May 2013 the Cassini RADAR altimeter observed channels in Vid Flumina, a drainage network connected to Titan’s second largest hydrocarbon sea, Ligeia Mare. Analysis of these altimeter echoes shows that the channels are located in deep (up to ~570 m), steep-sided, canyons and have strong specular surface reflections that indicate they are currently liquid filled. Elevations of the liquid in these channels are at the same level as Ligeia Mare to within a vertical precision of about 0.7 m, consistent with the interpretation of drowned river valleys. Specular reflections are also observed in lower order tributaries elevated above the level of Ligeia Mare, consistent with drainage feeding into the main channel system.

Liquid filled canyons on Titan / Poggiali, Valerio; Mastrogiuseppe, Marco; Hayes, A. G.; Seu, Roberto; Birch, S. P. D.; Lorenz, R.; Grima, C.; Hofgartner, J. D.. - In: GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS. - ISSN 0094-8276. - STAMPA. - 43:15(2016), pp. 7887-7894. [10.1002/2016GL069679]

Liquid filled canyons on Titan

MASTROGIUSEPPE, MARCO;SEU, Roberto;
2016

Abstract

In May 2013 the Cassini RADAR altimeter observed channels in Vid Flumina, a drainage network connected to Titan’s second largest hydrocarbon sea, Ligeia Mare. Analysis of these altimeter echoes shows that the channels are located in deep (up to ~570 m), steep-sided, canyons and have strong specular surface reflections that indicate they are currently liquid filled. Elevations of the liquid in these channels are at the same level as Ligeia Mare to within a vertical precision of about 0.7 m, consistent with the interpretation of drowned river valleys. Specular reflections are also observed in lower order tributaries elevated above the level of Ligeia Mare, consistent with drainage feeding into the main channel system.
2016
Titan; Cassini radar altimeter; canyons; liquid channels
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01a Articolo in rivista
Liquid filled canyons on Titan / Poggiali, Valerio; Mastrogiuseppe, Marco; Hayes, A. G.; Seu, Roberto; Birch, S. P. D.; Lorenz, R.; Grima, C.; Hofgartner, J. D.. - In: GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS. - ISSN 0094-8276. - STAMPA. - 43:15(2016), pp. 7887-7894. [10.1002/2016GL069679]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/932488
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