Physics
Scientific paper
Dec 2011
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011agufm.p13g..02f&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2011, abstract #P13G-02
Physics
[5470] Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets / Surface Materials And Properties, [6281] Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects / Titan
Scientific paper
Tens of thousands of sand dunes encircle the equatorial latitudes of Saturn's moon Titan, as seen by the Cassini Radar and visible-NIR instruments. These are linear in form, comparable in size and morphology to large linear dunes in the Egyptian Sahara. Studies of linear dunes in the Sahara can therefore assist in understanding the characteristics and formation of Titan's dunes. High-resolution topographic profiles of the Egyptian dunes indicate winds draw dune sands into broad stable plinths with steep summits that shift with recent winds. The summits of the Qattaniya Dunes west of Cairo are drawn out into crescents along the dune long axis from dominant, northerly winds on a NNW-trending crestline. Ground penetrating radar surveys show equally spaced layers within the dune, suggesting continuous, regular wind regimes formed the dunes. Larger dunes of the Great Sand Sea south of Siwa Oasis exhibit generally similar topographic profiles and fine layering although numerous flanking features complicate the overall morphology. These analyses can be related to studies of wind pattern effects on Titan's dune forms, residence time of sands within dunes on Titan, and the creation and maintenance of evolved dune forms across Titan. Studies of the effects of morphology and internal structure of these dunes on terrestrial radar remote sensing observations will yield additional information concerning Titan's dunes. Scattering models, for example, seek to explain the radar returns from Titan's dunes based on geometry and sand composition so it is valuable to understand the effects of these parameters on terrestrial dunes.
Farr Tom G.
Heggy Essam
Radebaugh Jani
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