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Enceladus Plume Structure and Time Variability: Comparison of Cassini Observations
Ben D Teolis1, Mark E Perry2, Candice J Hansen3
11 Space Science Division, Southwest Research Institute , San Antonio, Texas.
Astrobiology
|September 6, 2017
Summary
Cassini
Area of Science:
- Planetary Science
- Astrobiology
- Geophysics
Background:
- Cassini's Ion Neutral Mass Spectrometer (INMS) provided initial gas measurements of Enceladus' plume.
- Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS) data refined understanding of Enceladus' gas/grain jet locations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To constrain gas source magnitudes, velocities, and variability using INMS data combined with ISS and occultation measurements.
- To analyze the dynamics of gas emission from Enceladus' tiger stripes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Cassini INMS, ISS imaging, and ultraviolet occultation data.
- Employed modeling of the Enceladus vapor cloud's three-dimensional structure.
- Constrained gas source properties based on flyby observations and imaging data.
Main Results:
- Confirmed both low and high Mach number gas emission from Enceladus' tiger stripes, with speeds up to Mach 10.
- Observed dramatic and stochastic spatial and temporal variations (up to 10x) in vapor source fluxes and jet intensities.
- Quantified total plume gas source rate variability (up to ~5x) between observations.
Conclusions:
- Enceladus' plume dynamics are complex, influenced by tidal stresses, subsurface fissure geometry, and evolving lithostatic pressure.
- Stochastic variability in gas emission suggests dynamic processes within Enceladus.
- Understanding gas dynamics is crucial for astrobiological potential and planetary science research.
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