Skip to main content

IMIS

A new integrated search interface will become available in the next phase of marineinfo.org.
For the time being, please use IMIS to search available data

 

[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Titan's obliquity as evidence of a subsurface ocean?
Baland, R.-M.; Van Hoolst, T.; Yseboodt, M.; Karatekin, O. (2011). Titan's obliquity as evidence of a subsurface ocean? Astron. Astrophys. 530. dx.doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201116578
In: Astronomy & Astrophysics (Les Ulis). EDP Sciences: Les Ulis. ISSN 0004-6361; e-ISSN 1432-0746, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Author keywords
    celestial mechanics; planets and satellites: individual: Titan; planetsand satellites: interiors

Authors  Top 

Abstract
    On the basis of gravity and radar observations with the Cassini spacecraft, the moment of inertia of Titan and the orientation of Titan's rotation axis have been estimated in recent studies. According to the observed orientation, Titan is close to the Cassini state. However, the observed obliquity is inconsistent with the estimate of the moment of inertia for an entirely solid Titan occupying the Cassini state. We propose a new Cassini state model for Titan in which we assume the presence of a liquid water ocean beneath an ice shell and consider the gravitational and pressure torques arising between the different layers of the satellite. With the new model, we find a closer agreement between the moment of inertia and the rotation state than for the solid case, strengthening the possibility that Titan has a subsurface ocean.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors