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High heat flow from Enceladus' south polar region measured using 10-600 cm^-1 Cassini/CIRS data

Spencer, J. R.; Howett, C. J. A.; Pearl, J. +1 more

Analysis of 2008 Cassini Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) 10 to 600 cm^-1 thermal emission spectra of Encleadus shows that for reasonable assumptions about the spatial distribution of the emission and the thermophysical properties of the solar-heated background surface, which are supported by CIRS observations of background tempera…

Geophysical implications of the long-wavelength topography of the Saturnian satellites

Nimmo, F.; Thomas, P. C.; Bills, B. G.

We use limb profiles to quantify the long-wavelength topography of the Saturnian satellites. The degree 2 shapes of Mimas, Enceladus, and Tethys are not consistent with hydrostatic equilibrium. We derive 2-D topographic maps out to spherical harmonic degree 8. There is a good correlation with topography derived from stereo techniques. If uncompens…

Joule heating of the south polar terrain on Enceladus

Khurana, K. K.; Hand, K. P.; Chyba, C. F.

We report that Joule heating in Enceladus, resulting from the interaction of Enceladus with Saturn's magnetic field, may account for 150 kW to 52 MW of power through Enceladus. Electric currents passing through subsurface channels of low salinity and just a few kilometers in depth could supply a source of power to the south polar terrain, providin…