| Abstract: | Four geyser-like plumes were discovered near Triton‘s south pole in areas now in permanent sunlight. Because Triton‘s southern hemisphere is nearing a maximum summer solstice, insolation as a driver or a trigger for Triton‘s geyser-like plumes is an attractive hypothesis. Trapping of solar radiation in a translucent, low-conductivity surface layer (in a solid-state greenhouse), which is subsequently released in the form of latent heat of sublimation, could provide the required energy. Both the classical solid-state greenhouse consisting of exponentially absorbed insolation in a gray, translucent layer of solid nitrogen, and the "super" greenhouse consisting of a relatively transparent solid-nitrogen layer over an opaque, absorbing layer are plausible candidates. Geothermal heat may also play a part if assisted by the added energy input of seasonal cycles of insolation. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 70015941 |
| Citation Author: | Brown, R. H.; Kirk, R. L.; Johnson, T. V.; Soderblom, L. A.; Brown, R. H.; Johnson, T. V.; Kirk, R. L.; Soderblom, L. A. |
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| Citation End Page: | 435 |
| Citation Issue: | 4977 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Science |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 5 |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Energy sources for triton‘s geyser-like plumes; 1990; Article; Journal; Science; Brown, R. H.; Kirk, R. L.; Johnson, T. V.; Soderblom, L. A.; Brown, R. H.; Johnson, T. V.; Kirk, R. L.; Soderblom, L. A. |
| Citation Start Page: | 431 |
| Citation Volume: | 250 |
| Citation Year: | 1990 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Energy sources for triton‘s geyser-like plumes; 1990; Article; Journal; Science; Brown, R. H.; Kirk, R. L.; Johnson, T. V.; Soderblom, L. A.; Brown, R. H.; Johnson, T. V.; Kirk, R. L.; Soderblom, L. A. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| Date Other: | Mon, 1 Jan 1990 00:00 -0600 |
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