Penetrometry of granular and moist planetary surface materials: Application to the Huygens landing site on Titan

Details Penetrometry of granular and moist planetary surface materials: Application to the Huygens landing site on Titan Penetrometry of granular and moist planetary surface materials: Application to the Huygens landing site on Titan

Dec 2010

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010icar..210..843a&link_type=abstract

Icarus, Volume 210, Issue 2, p. 843-851.

Computer Science

Scientific paper

The Huygens probe landed on the then unknown surface of Titan in January 2005. A small, protruding penetrometer, part of the Surface Science Package (SSP), was pushed into the surface material measuring the mechanical resistance of the ground as the probe impacted the landing site. We present laboratory penetrometry into room temperature surface analogue materials using a replica penetrometer to investigate further the nature of Titan’s surface and examine the sensor’s capabilities. The results are then compared to the flight instrument’s signature and suggest the Titan surface substrate material consists of sand-sized particles with a mean grain size ˜2 mm. A possible thin 7 mm coating with mechanical properties similar to terrestrial snow may overlie this substrate, although due to the limited data we are unable to detect any further layering or grading within the near-surface material. The unusual weakening with depth of the signature returned from Titan has, to date, only been reproduced using a damp sand target that becomes progressively wetter with depth, and supports the suggestion that the surface may consist of a damp and cohesive material with interstitial liquid contained between its grains. Comparison with terrestrial analogues highlights the unusual nature of the landing site material.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Penetrometry of granular and moist planetary surface materials: Application to the Huygens landing site on Titan does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Penetrometry of granular and moist planetary surface materials: Application to the Huygens landing site on Titan, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Penetrometry of granular and moist planetary surface materials: Application to the Huygens landing site on Titan will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1293403