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Jovian and Saturnian satellites
Author(s) -
McKin William B.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
reviews of geophysics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 8.087
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1944-9208
pISSN - 8755-1209
DOI - 10.1029/rg025i002p00260
Subject(s) - astrobiology , jovian , solar system , jupiter (rocket family) , saturn , astronomy , planet , geology , rebuttal , physics , spacecraft , history , archaeology
The years 1983‐1987 follow mankind's epochal first spacecraft encounters with the giant planets Jupiter and Saturn. Possibly the most spectacular “discoveries” there were the diversity and level of geological activity on the satellites that circle each. And part of the excitement no doubt stemmed from rebuttal of pre‐encounter preconceptions, as the satellites of the inner solar system, while fascinating, are geologically dead. Consequently, an entirely new branch of solar system science has opened up, one that is fascinating in its own right, and one that promises to greatly aid understanding of the origin and evolution of the Earth, the solar system, and life itself.