Photometric and spectral analysis of the distribution of crystalline and amorphous ices on Enceladus as seen by Cassini
Name
1028747523-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
3.69 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
273f60165a7655959fe1250b66b8cbb6
Author(s)
Newman, Sarah F
Advisor(s)
Richard Binzel.
Date Issued
2006
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
Photometric and Spectral analysis of data from the Cassini Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) has yielded intriguing findings regarding the properties and composition of the surface of Saturn's satellite Enceladus. Spectral cubes, which contain both spatial and spectral information, were obtained of this satellite with a wavelength distribution in the infrared far more extensive than from any previous observations and at much higher resolution. Using these cubes, we have discovered a distribution of amorphous and crystalline ices on the southern pole of Enceladus, indicating intense ion bombardment in those latitudes and recent geological activity at the "tiger stripe" cracks. Using a composite mosaic of the satellite, we map this distribution of ices according to a "crystallinity factor" and consider investigation of the time scale of the geologic activity based on amorphization rates in the outer solar system.
Description
Thesis: S.B., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, 2006.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. Pages 26 to 30 missing from original thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 30-31).
Subjects
Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
Terms of Use
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