Photometric and spectral analysis of the distribution of crystalline and amorphous ices on Enceladus as seen by Cassini

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.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2006

Author dc:creator

• Newman, Sarah F

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Richard Binzel.

• Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences.

Statement dc:rights

• MIT theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed, downloaded, or printed from this source but further reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/114323

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/114323