Lecture 19

Question 1

Cassini Huygens Mission

Answer 1

2 Probes: Cassini and Huygens
Went to Saturn and Titan
17 Nation Venture
Operated by NASA

Question 2

Purpose of Cassini’s Instruments

Answer 2

To see beneath Titan’s cloud cover
Map Titans Surface
Get atmospheric informtation
Detect UV light from clouds

Question 3

Uses of Huygens Instruments

Answer 3

Getting Density, T, and pressure of atmosphere
Images of landing sight and surroundings
Measuring chemicals in atmosphere
Getting properties of surface

Question 4

Purpose of the Cassini Huygens Mission for Saturn?

Answer 4

Determine the temperature field, cloud properties and composition of Saturn’s Atmosphere
Determine Internal Structure and rotation of deep atmosphere
Determine Heat Flux and radiation environment present during formation and evolution

Question 5

Purpose of the Cassini Huygens Mission for the Rings?

Answer 5

Composition and size of ring material
Investigate the interrelation of the the rings and moons

Question 6

Purpose of the Cassini Huygens Mission for the Satellites?

Answer 6

Determining geological history
Define different physical processes that have created surfaces crusts and sub surfaces
Determining bulk compositions and internal structures of moons

Question 7

Purpose of the Cassini Huygens Mission for Titan?

Answer 7

Determine abundant elements
Search for complex molecules
Determine physical state, topography and composition of surface
Determine surface state of matter (solid or liquid)

Question 8

How are Saturn’s Rings divided?

Answer 8

By the order they were discovered
Each distinct from its neighbor

Question 9

Origin of the Rings

Answer 9

3 Hypotheses
1. Gravitational disruption of a satellite or comet
2. Fragmentation of satellites by impact
3. Accretionary Remnant

Question 10

What is the Roche Limit

Answer 10

The orbit closest to a planet that a satellite can withstand Tidal Forces

Question 11

Clues for the Origins of Saturn’s Rings

Answer 11

Some rings are made from the debris of inner satellites
Saturn’s rings are disappearing

Question 12

Titan’s Geologic History

Answer 12

Accretion from materials rich in water, methane and ammonia
Differentiation
Dissociation of NH3

Question 13

Titan Atmosphere

Answer 13

Ethane based weather cycle

Question 14

Titans Lakes

Answer 14

Located near polar regions
Made up of liquid methane and ethane

Question 15

Winds on Titan

Answer 15

Blow West to East globally

Question 16

Titan’s Dunes Composition

Answer 16

Dunes are made up of grains of ice and organic matter

Question 17

Evidence of Titan’s geological activity

Answer 17

Wind erosion
Flowing Liquid
Cryovolcanism
Impact Cratering
Potential Tectonic Activity

Question 18

Titan’s Climate

Answer 18

Humid conditions at the poles for lakes seas and rivers
Dry conditions at the equator for dunes and dry river beds

Question 19

Titan Interior Characteristics

Answer 19

Organic Rich Atmosphere
Decoupled Outer shell
Global Subsurface ocean
High pressure Ice VI shell
Hydrous Silicate Core

Question 20

Geological Activity on Enceladus

Answer 20

Liquid Water is present in Enceladus
Tidal Heating
Salt-water mixtures

Question 21

Shepherd Moons of Saturn

Answer 21

Enceladus
Pandora
Hyperion
Mimas
Dione
Phoebe
Iapetus