Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Sep 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006dps....38.7201s&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #38, #72.01; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 38, p.628
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
It is argued that Enceladus is a differentiated body with a silicate core and ice/water shell and that Rhea is an undifferentiated, homogeneous, ice/rock body. It is also proposed that Dione, like Enceladus, might also be differentiated. The internal structure of Enceladus is based on its density, surface characteristics, and signs of endogenic activity, including atmospheric plumes, south polar thermal anomalies, and interaction with incident plasma. Rhea's internal structure is indicated by its density, quadrupole gravitational coefficients, heavily cratered surface, and lunar-like interaction with incident plasma. Dione's modified surface, density, and Enceladus-like interaction with impinging plasma suggest a differentiated and internally active satellite. The medium-sized icy Saturnian satellites with the highest densities and silicate mass fractions, Enceladus and Dione, respectively, are the ones that are apparently differentiated and active. This may be explained by early and long term radiogenic heating of the silicates. Tidal heating in the Enceladus-Dione resonance might also be important.
Anderson John D.
Schubert Gerald
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