Titan's rotation reveals an internal ocean and changing zonal winds
March 21, 2008
Cassini radar observations of Saturn's moon Titan over several years show that its rotational period is changing and is different from its orbital period. The present-day rotation period difference from synchronous spin leads to a shift of ∼0.36° per year in apparent longitude and is consistent with seasonal exchange of angular momentum between the surface and Titan's dense superrotating atmosphere, but only if Titan's crust is decoupled from the core by an internal water ocean like that on Europa.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2008 |
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Title | Titan's rotation reveals an internal ocean and changing zonal winds |
DOI | 10.1126/science.1151639 |
Authors | Ralph D. Lorenz, Bryan W. Stiles, Randolph L. Kirk, Michael D. Allison, Paolo Persi del Marmo, Luciano Iess, Jonathan I. Lunine, Steven J. Ostro, Scott Hensley |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Science |
Index ID | 70201204 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | Astrogeology Science Center |