The Tides of TitanPublication date: 27 Jul 2012 Authors: Iess, L., et al.
Journal: Science Copyright: AAAS Published online on 28 June 2012We have detected in Cassini 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 the Cassini spacecraft 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 k2 = 0.589 ± 0.150 and k2 = 0.637 ± 0.224 (2-sigma). Such a large response to the tidal field requires that Titan's interior is deformable over time scales of the orbital period, in a way that is consistent with a global ocean at depth.
Last Update: 28 Jan 2013
|
- Missions
- Show All Missions
- Mission Home
- Summary
- Fact Sheet
- Objectives
- Mission Team
- Orbit View
-
Science…
- Huygens Probe
- Huygens
- Instruments
- Engineering
- Cassini Orbiter
- 3D Model
- Instruments
- Engineering
- Mission Operations
- Launch Vehicle
- Launch Information
- Approach and Arrival
- Getting to Saturn
- Huygens Probe Separation
- Titan Surface Landing
- Flybys
- Science Operations
- Data Archive
- Resources
- News Archive
- Multimedia Gallery
- Publication Archive
- Calendar of Events
- Services
- Contact Us
- Subscribe
- Terms and Conditions
