Titan's rotation reveals an internal ocean and changing zonal winds
Science
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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 ∼0.36° 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.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Titan's rotation reveals an internal ocean and changing zonal winds |
| Series title | Science |
| DOI | 10.1126/science.1151639 |
| Volume | 319 |
| Issue | 5870 |
| Year Published | 2008 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) |
| Contributing office(s) | Astrogeology Science Center |
| Description | 3 p. |
| First page | 1649 |
| Last page | 1651 |
| Other Geospatial | Titan |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |