| Literature DB >> 18356521 |
Ralph D Lorenz1, Bryan W Stiles, Randolph L Kirk, Michael D Allison, Paolo Persi Del Marmo, Luciano Iess, Jonathan I Lunine, Steven J Ostro, Scott Hensley.
Abstract
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 approximately 0.36 degrees 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.Mesh:
Substances:
Year: 2008 PMID: 18356521 DOI: 10.1126/science.1151639
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Science ISSN: 0036-8075 Impact factor: 47.728