Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
May 2009
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009aas...21443504g&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #214, #435.04; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 41, p.707
Mathematics
Logic
Scientific paper
Janus and Epimeteus may be primeval Trans-Neptunian bodies or they may have formed in the Saturn system. Voyager and Cassini-Huygens results indicate a rich diversity in the surfaces of the Saturnian icy satellites: Enceladus has ice geysers; Iapetus has a "walnut” shape and a striking contrast between its bright and dark surfaces; and Hyperion has an irregular shape, chaotic rotation, and "spongy” appearance. We compare and contrast Janus and Epimetheus with these bodies and we discuss the possibility of geological activity on Janus and Epimetheus. Spectrophotometry of Janus and Epimetheus, obtained with the Cassini-Huygens Imaging Science Subsystem Narrow Angle Camera., was combined with published data on the large icy satellites to determine the surface activity (possible ice convection, cryo-volcanism, and surface straining or fractures) and bulk compositions (particularly bulk porosities) of Janus and Epimetheus. We estimate the porosities of Janus and Epimetheus to be 0.332 and 0.308 respectively. We show that Janus is bluer than Epimetheus. From our models we suggest that cryo-volcanism could be occurring on Janus or Epimetheus. We find no evidence for internal heating. There is not evidence for surface straining or fracturing on Janus or Epimetheus.
We propose ways to improve our knowledge of the small icy satellites and discuss why this knowledge is important in Solar System evolutionary studies.
Genov Ivan
Gillam Stephen Douglas
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