The Disruption of Hyperion and the Origin of Titan's Atmosphere

Details The Disruption of Hyperion and the Origin of Titan's Atmosphere The Disruption of Hyperion and the Origin of Titan's Atmosphere

Jun 1997

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1997aj....113.2312f&link_type=abstract

Astronomical Journal v.113, p.2312

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

11

Planets And Satellite: Individual: Hyperion, Planets And Satellite: Individual: Titan

Scientific paper

Two peculiar features of the Saturnian satellite system, that is, the dense, N2-dominated atmosphere of Titan, and the very irregular shape of Hyperion, are probably related to each other. Numerical integrations show that most fragments ejected after the catastrophic breakup of a presumably larger and nearly-spherical proto-Hyperion fell onto Titan over a time scale of 103 yr, at impact speeds <4 km/s. Such impacts resulted into accretion of the constituent volatile materials into Titan's atmosphere. If proto- Hyperion was ≍1000 km in diameter, the entire current atmosphere may have been generated by this impact shower. Even for a smaller total mass of the impactors, any pre-existing atmosphere must have been chemically reprocessed, producing large amounts of N2 by shock effects. Impacts by proto-Hyperion fragments are also likely to have formed giant impact basins on Titan's surface.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The Disruption of Hyperion and the Origin of Titan's Atmosphere 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 The Disruption of Hyperion and the Origin of Titan's Atmosphere, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Disruption of Hyperion and the Origin of Titan's Atmosphere will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1472541