The Tides of Titan | Zendy

L. Iess | Zendy; Robert A. Jacobson | Zendy; M. Ducci | Zendy; D. J. Stevenson | Zendy; J. I. Lunine | Zendy; J. W. Armstrong | Zendy; S. W. Asmar | Zendy; P. Racioppa | Zendy; N. J. Rappaport | Zendy; Paolo Tortora | Zendy

AI Assistant Blog Pricing

Home ZAIA Blog

Open Access

The Tides of Titan

Author(s) -

L. Iess,

Robert A. Jacobson,

M. Ducci,

D. J. Stevenson,

J. I. Lunine,

J. W. Armstrong,

S. W. Asmar,

P. Racioppa,

N. J. Rappaport,

Paolo Tortora

Publication year - 2012

Publication title -

science

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 12.556

H-Index - 1186

eISSN - 1095-9203

pISSN - 0036-8075

DOI - 10.1126/science.1219631

Subject(s) - titan (rocket family) , gravitational field , physics , spacecraft , astrobiology , orbital eccentricity , saturn , geodesy , gravitation , geology , astronomy , planet

We have detected in Cassini spacecraft data the signature of the periodic tidal stresses within Titan, driven by the eccentricity (e = 0.028) of its 16-day orbit around Saturn. Precise measurements of the acceleration of Cassini during six close flybys between 2006 and 2011 have revealed that Titan responds to the variable tidal field exerted by Saturn with periodic changes of its quadrupole gravity, at about 4% of the static value. Two independent determinations of the corresponding degree-2 Love number yield k(2) = 0.589 ± 0.150 and k(2) = 0.637 ± 0.224 (2σ). Such a large response to the tidal field requires that Titan's interior be deformable over time scales of the orbital period, in a way that is consistent with a global ocean at depth.

The content you want is available to Zendy users.

Already have an account? Click here to sign in.

Having issues? You can contact us here

Accelerating Research