Search Publications
Neptune long-lived atmospheric features in 2013-2015 from small (28-cm) to large (10-m) telescopes
Hueso, R.; Sánchez-Lavega, A.; Rojas, J. F. +32 more
Since 2013, observations of Neptune with small telescopes (28-50 cm) have resulted in several detections of long-lived bright atmospheric features that have also been observed by large telescopes such as Keck II or Hubble. The combination of both types of images allows the study of the long-term evolution of major cloud systems in the planet. In 2…
The effect of asymmetric surface topography on dust dynamics on airless bodies
Horányi, M.; Piquette, M.
Without a significant atmosphere or global magnetic field, the lunar surface is exposed to micrometeoroid bombardment, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and the solar wind. Micrometeoroid bombardment grinds the surface into a regolith comprised of dust grains ranging in size from 10 nm to 1 mm (Grün et al., 2011). Incident UV radiation and solar wind el…
Brittle ice shell thickness of Enceladus from fracture distribution analysis
Cremonese, G.; Massironi, M.; Lucchetti, A. +2 more
We determine the depth of fracture penetration in multiple regions of Enceladus by performing self-similar clustering and length distribution analysis of fractures. The statistical characterization of fault-population attribute, such as length and clustering, provide a productive avenue for exploring deformation rate, stress transmission mode, rhe…
Geology and mineralogy of the Auki Crater, Tyrrhena Terra, Mars: A possible post impact-induced hydrothermal system
Bellucci, G.; Carrozzo, F. G.; Altieri, F. +2 more
A variety of hydrothermal environments have been documented in terrestrial impact structures. Due to both past water interactions and meteoritic bombardment on the surface of Mars, several authors have predicted various scenarios that include the formation of hydrothermal systems. Geological and mineralogical evidence of past hydrothermal activity…
Close-up images of the final Philae landing site on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko acquired by the ROLIS camera
Bibring, J. -P.; Jaumann, R.; Keller, H. U. +11 more
After coming to rest on the night side of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, the ROLIS camera on-board Rosetta's Philae lander acquired five images of the surface below the lander, four of which were with the aid of LED illumination of different colors. The images confirm that Philae was perched on a sloped surface. A local horizon is visible in one…
The near-surface electron radiation environment of Saturn's moon Mimas
Coates, A. J.; Jones, G. H.; Hendrix, A. R. +4 more
Saturn's inner mid-size moons are exposed to a number of external weathering processes, including charged particle bombardment and UV photolysis, as well as deposition of E-ring grains and interplanetary dust. While optical remote sensing observations by several instruments onboard the Cassini spacecraft have revealed a number of weathering patter…
Deciphering sub-micron ice particles on Enceladus surface
D'Aversa, E.; Clark, R.; Tosi, F. +4 more
The surface of Saturn's moon Enceladus is composed primarily by pure water ice. The Cassini spacecraft has observed present-day geologic activity at the moon's South Polar Region, related with the formation and feeding of Saturn's E-ring. Plumes of micron-sized particles, composed of water ice and other non-ice contaminants (e.g., CO2, …
The paleolacustrine evolution of Juventae Chasma and Maja Valles and its implications for the formation of interior layered deposits on Mars
Jaumann, Ralf; Bishop, Janice L.; Gross, Christoph +4 more
Juventae Chasma, Mars, is an approximately 7 km deep basin located in close vicinity of Valles Marineris. It extends for ∼190 km east-west and ∼270 km north-south and exhibits several light-toned interior layered deposits (ILDs). These deposits form four large and distinctive light-toned mounds referred to as mound A, B, C, and D, from south to no…
Discontinuous drainage systems formed by highland precipitation and ground-water outflow in the Navua Valles and southwest Hadriacus Mons regions, Mars
Hargitai, H. I.; Gulick, V. C.; Glines, N. H.
The Navua Valles are systems of paleodrainages located north of Dao Vallis, which empty into Hellas Planitia, the largest impact basin on Mars. In this study, we mapped and characterized the Navua Valles Region's individual drainage systems, including drainages along the southwestern flank of Hadriacus Mons, and one valley network from the same so…
Constraining the Enceladus plume using numerical simulation and Cassini data
Trafton, Laurence M.; Levin, Deborah A.; Goldstein, David B. +3 more
Since its discovery, the Enceladus plume has been subjected to intense study due to the major effects that it has on the Saturnian system and the window that it provides into the interior of Enceladus. However, several questions remain and we attempt to answer some of them in this work. In particular, we aim to constrain the H2O product…