IcarusPub Date : 2024-09-05DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116300
Valerii Kleshchonok , Holger Sierks
{"title":"Geometrical model of jets in cometary comae","authors":"Valerii Kleshchonok , Holger Sierks","doi":"10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116300","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116300","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Cometary comae frequently exhibit various formations such as jets, fans, and shells, which can provide crucial insights into the nuclear rotation parameters and the presence of active regions on cometary nuclei. To accurately interpret the visible shape of these jets, a geometric model has been developed. This model considers several factors, including the position of the comet nucleus’s axis of rotation, the location of active areas on the comet’s surface, the angular size of the emission cone, and the relative positions of the Earth, the Sun, and the comet. Utilizing this model, it is possible to track the evolution of the jets over extended periods, enhancing the precision of the model parameters estimation through its simplification. Application of the geometrical model is demonstrated in determining the rotational parameters of the nucleus of comet C/2017 K2 (PANSTARRS). The coordinates for the positive pole of the rotational axis of the comet’s nucleus are: right ascension <span><math><mrow><mi>α</mi><mo>=</mo><mn>70</mn><mo>°</mo><mo>±</mo><mn>15</mn><mo>°</mo></mrow></math></span>, declination <span><math><mrow><mi>δ</mi><mo>=</mo><mo>−</mo><mn>45</mn><mo>°</mo><mo>±</mo><mn>6</mn><mo>°</mo></mrow></math></span>, and the rotation period is 166.50 ± 0.02 h. The shape of the jet feature is consistent with an active area located at that latitude <span><math><mrow><mi>ϕ</mi><mo>=</mo><mo>+</mo><mn>45</mn><mo>°</mo><mo>±</mo><mn>6</mn><mo>°</mo></mrow></math></span>. The mean velocity of the dust particles is calculated to be 0.23 ± 0.03 km/s.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":13199,"journal":{"name":"Icarus","volume":"425 ","pages":"Article 116300"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142151777","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
IcarusPub Date : 2024-09-04DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116301
M. Yoneda , F. Tsuchiya , C. Schmidt , M. Kagitani , T. Sakanoi
{"title":"Major brightening events in Jupiter’s sodium nebula during Juno era","authors":"M. Yoneda , F. Tsuchiya , C. Schmidt , M. Kagitani , T. Sakanoi","doi":"10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116301","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116301","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Successive observations of Jupiter’s sodium nebula have identified several brightening events, presumably due to variability in Io’s volcanic plumes. An event that began in the beginning of March 2018 has been already reported by Morgenthaler et al. (2019,2024a,2024b). In this work, we found that this event was followed by another one. By adding these observations, details of these events including one observed by Morgenthaler et al. (2019,2024a,2024b) are described herein. Especially, the event in 2018 seems to have been the strongest enhancement during Juno spacecraft’s orbital mission, at least before 2020. Also, our observations show that the D-line brightness of the sodium nebula was decreasing in early September, 2019. This tendency is consistent with Io’s volcanic plume activity observed by Atacama Large (sub)Millimeter Array (ALMA). The KCl gas observed in this plume with ALMA is a chemical analog of NaCl, which is believed to be the parent molecule that dissociates to form the sodium nebula. While these observations are not the direct evidence of plume supply to sodium nebula, they are suggestive of control of Io’s volcanic plumes on the brightness of Jupiter’s sodium nebula.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":13199,"journal":{"name":"Icarus","volume":"425 ","pages":"Article 116301"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0019103524003610/pdfft?md5=d160c29dbf39ac042be80f1a26f94066&pid=1-s2.0-S0019103524003610-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142169268","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
IcarusPub Date : 2024-09-03DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116290
Ethan Olim, Juan M. Lora, J. Michael Battalio
{"title":"Methane storm characteristics and evolution in simulations of Titan’s hydroclimate","authors":"Ethan Olim, Juan M. Lora, J. Michael Battalio","doi":"10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116290","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116290","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Methane precipitation is a key component of the climate on Titan, and has been shown to impact surface features. Recent general circulation models (GCMs) have reproduced Titan’s hydroclimate, including precipitation, with increasing accuracy, yet characterization of their simulated precipitation events is lacking. We investigate the characteristics and evolution of methane storms simulated over 40 Titan years using the Titan Atmospheric Model, a validated GCM. Storms are identified and tracked using the density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) algorithm, allowing them to be followed through time and space. We find that storms follow seasonality expected from observations and prior modeling, occur preferentially in the summer hemisphere, and tend to start over high topography. The population of storms is bimodal in traits corresponding to intensity, area, and duration, with a large population of small, short-lived, and weakly precipitating storms and a smaller population of exceptionally large, long-lasting, and intense storms. These largest storms tend to evolve similarly over their lifetimes, peaking early in intensity and in the middle of their lives in area. We also find temporal clustering of storms, in alignment with observations and the proposed relaxation-oscillation model of Titan’s methane precipitation. These storm clusters emerge quasi-periodically following long dry spells during which evaporation of surface methane recharges atmospheric moisture. Approximately five clusters occur per Titan year, and their locations are strongly seasonal. Overall, our quantitative descriptions of storms and storm clusters over a long timescale provide additional insight into Titan’s methane cycle and surface features, and may assist in the planning of future missions such as <em>Dragonfly</em>.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":13199,"journal":{"name":"Icarus","volume":"425 ","pages":"Article 116290"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142151776","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
IcarusPub Date : 2024-09-02DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116264
J. Michael Battalio , Juan M. Lora , Scot Rafkin , Alejandro Soto
{"title":"Corrigendum to “The interaction of deep convection with the general circulation in Titan’s atmosphere, Part II: Impacts on the climate”","authors":"J. Michael Battalio , Juan M. Lora , Scot Rafkin , Alejandro Soto","doi":"10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116264","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116264","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13199,"journal":{"name":"Icarus","volume":"424 ","pages":"Article 116264"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0019103524003245/pdfft?md5=081000ec27d06caf59881be2795a9dc1&pid=1-s2.0-S0019103524003245-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142122406","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Rock thermal conductivity and thermal inertia measurements under martian atmospheric pressures","authors":"A.A. Ahern , A.D. Rogers , R.J. Macke , S.A. Mertzman , K.R. Mertzman , B.J. Thomson , R.E. Kronyak , G.M. Peters , E.L. Carey , R.J. Hopkins","doi":"10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116272","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116272","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The physical properties of rocks on planetary surfaces influence their bulk thermal conductivity (<em>k</em>) and thermal inertia (<em>TI</em>); however, there has been little work done to date to explore quantitative relationships between physical properties (bulk density, porosity, mechanical strength) and thermal properties (<em>k</em> and <em>TI</em>) at Mars-relevant pressures. We present the first <em>k</em> and <em>TI</em> measurements of a comprehensive suite of Mars-relevant igneous and sedimentary rocks under Mars atmospheric pressures. We used modified transient plane source (MTPS) and transient plane source (TPS) methods to measure <em>k</em> and <em>TI</em> values of 40 samples (3 monomineralic, 13 igneous, 24 sedimentary) at pressures between 1 and 10 mbar and at 1 bar, at ∼25 °C. The rock samples were characterized by bulk density, grain density, porosity, uniaxial compressive strength, mineralogy, and major and trace element abundances. We find that bulk density and porosity roughly correlate to <em>k</em> and <em>TI</em> values at Mars pressures by power law relationships. The relationships of the thermal properties with mechanical strength and chemical properties, however, are not straightforward. Many physical and chemical factors play a role in determining <em>k</em> and <em>TI</em> values; thus, it is not possible to relate a single physical or chemical property to <em>k</em> and <em>TI</em> directly based on these measurements. Rock <em>TI</em> values derived from rover surface temperature measurements on Mars agree with our results for similar rock types.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":13199,"journal":{"name":"Icarus","volume":"424 ","pages":"Article 116272"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142162315","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
IcarusPub Date : 2024-08-30DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116282
Sérgio R.A. Gomes , Alexandre C.M. Correia
{"title":"Dynamical evolution of the Uranian satellite system I.","authors":"Sérgio R.A. Gomes , Alexandre C.M. Correia","doi":"10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116282","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116282","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Mutual gravitational interactions between the five major Uranian satellites raise small quasi-periodic fluctuations on their orbital elements. At the same time, tidal interactions between the satellites and the planet induce a slow outward drift of the orbits, while damping the eccentricities and the inclinations. In this paper, we revisit the current and near past evolution of this system using a <span><math><mrow><mi>N</mi><mo>−</mo></mrow></math></span>body integrator, including spin evolution and tidal dissipation with the weak friction model. We update the secular eigenmodes of the system and show that it is unlikely that any of the main satellites were recently captured into a high obliquity Cassini state. We rather expect that the Uranian satellites are in a low obliquity Cassini state and compute their values. We also estimate the current variations in the eccentricities and inclinations, and show that they are not fully damped. We constrain the modified quality factor of Uranus to be <span><math><mrow><msubsup><mrow><mi>Q</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>U</mi></mrow><mrow><mo>′</mo></mrow></msubsup><mo>=</mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>.</mo><mn>2</mn><mo>±</mo><mn>0</mn><mo>.</mo><mn>4</mn><mo>)</mo></mrow><mo>×</mo><mn>1</mn><msup><mrow><mn>0</mn></mrow><mrow><mn>5</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></math></span>, and that of Ariel to be <span><math><mrow><msubsup><mrow><mi>Q</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>A</mi></mrow><mrow><mo>′</mo></mrow></msubsup><mo>=</mo><mrow><mo>(</mo><mn>7</mn><mo>±</mo><mn>3</mn><mo>)</mo></mrow><mo>×</mo><mn>1</mn><msup><mrow><mn>0</mn></mrow><mrow><mn>4</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></math></span>. We find that the system most likely encountered the 5/3 mean motion resonance between Ariel and Umbriel in the past, at about <span><math><mrow><mo>(</mo><mn>0</mn><mo>.</mo><mn>7</mn><mo>±</mo><mn>0</mn><mo>.</mo><mn>2</mn><mo>)</mo></mrow></math></span> Gyr ago. We additionally determine the eccentricities and inclinations of all satellites just after the resonance passage that comply with the current system. We finally show that, from the crossing of the 5/3 MMR to the present, the evolution of the system is mostly peaceful and dominated by tides raised on Uranus by the satellites.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":13199,"journal":{"name":"Icarus","volume":"424 ","pages":"Article 116282"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0019103524003427/pdfft?md5=67d5833993d4db688b503b98b01d594d&pid=1-s2.0-S0019103524003427-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142152016","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
IcarusPub Date : 2024-08-30DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116284
Julien Laurent-Varin , Théo James , Jean-Charles Marty , Laurent Jorda , Sebastien Le Maistre , Robert Gaskell
{"title":"New gravity field of comet 67P/C-G based on Rosetta’s Doppler and optical data","authors":"Julien Laurent-Varin , Théo James , Jean-Charles Marty , Laurent Jorda , Sebastien Le Maistre , Robert Gaskell","doi":"10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116284","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116284","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The gravity field of a celestial body gives valuable insights into its fundamental properties such as its density and internal structure. The Doppler data collected by the Radio-Science Investigation (RSI) experiment of the Rosetta mission were previously used to determine the gravity field of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko up to degree 2 (Pätzold et al., 2016). In the present study we re-estimate the gravity field of 67P/C-G using not only RSI data as before, but also images data from Rosetta’s OSIRIS camera. These data, converted into “landmark” observations, are complementary to RSI data. Therefore, the analysis of combined Doppler and optical data results in a significant improvement in the restitution of Rosetta’s orbit and the determination of the comet gravity field with respect to previous work. Some coefficients of the comet’s gravity field are now resolved up to degree 4. The mass and low degrees estimates are in fairly good agreement with those previously published, but the improvement in their accuracy (i.e. lower sigmas) as well as the better resolution (i.e. maximum degree) of the new gravity field suggests that the distribution of mass in the nucleus may not be uniform, contrary to what was previously thought. Moreover, we estimate a change in the mass of the comet attributed to ice sublimation at its orbital perihelion that is almost three times greater than that previously published. The new estimated mass loss is <span><math><mrow><mi>Δ</mi><mi>M</mi><mo>=</mo><mn>28</mn><mo>.</mo><mn>0</mn><mo>±</mo><mn>0</mn><mo>.</mo><mn>29</mn><mo>×</mo><mn>1</mn><msup><mrow><mn>0</mn></mrow><mrow><mn>9</mn></mrow></msup><mspace></mspace><mi>kg</mi></mrow></math></span>, corresponding to 0.28% of the total mass of the comet. Thanks to a precise determination of the degree-1 gravity coefficients, we observe for the first time a motion of the center of mass of the comet by <span><math><mrow><mo>∼</mo><mn>35</mn><mspace></mspace><mi>m</mi></mrow></math></span> northward that could be explained by a more pronounced outgassing activity in the south of the comet due to the orientation of its spin axis relative to the Sun. The temporal evolution (before versus after perihelion) of the other estimated gravity coefficients and in particular degree-2 is more modest (0.8% for <span><math><msub><mrow><mi>C</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>20</mn></mrow></msub></math></span> and 2% for <span><math><msub><mrow><mi>C</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>22</mn></mrow></msub></math></span>, <span><math><msub><mrow><mi>S</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>22</mn></mrow></msub></math></span>).</p></div>","PeriodicalId":13199,"journal":{"name":"Icarus","volume":"424 ","pages":"Article 116284"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142151909","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
IcarusPub Date : 2024-08-29DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116286
Ian T.W. Flynn , Erika Rader
{"title":"Evidence of a Martian spatter cone south of Pavonis Mons","authors":"Ian T.W. Flynn , Erika Rader","doi":"10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116286","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116286","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Spatter cones are a common mafic explosive volcanic feature observed on Earth associated with Hawaiian and Strombolian-style lava fountaining. Across Mars there are numerous explosive volcanic features assessed to be accumulations of cold pyroclasts (e.g., scoria cones, tuff rings) but identification of welded and fused explosive deposits (i.e., spatter) has only recently been investigated. We present evidence indicating the presence of a Martian spatter cone south of Pavonis Mons and a comparison to a spatter cone formed during the 2021 Fagradalsfjall eruption, Iceland. The morphology and morphometry of the possible Martian spatter cone are more consistent with agglutinated rock like the spatter cone formed during the Fagradalsfjall eruption than poorly consolidated tephra, characteristic of scoria cones. In addition, the size of the two spatter cones falls within anticipated dimensions based on a simple ballistic trajectory model. Evidence for spatter included high angled slopes, knobby yet layered surface textures, rounded boulder talus, and thermophysical properties consistent with material that is more indicative of rock than scoria. The evidence indicates that the volcanic feature South of Pavonis Mons should be classified as a spatter cone. Identification of a Martian spatter cone has implications for eruption dynamics, magmatic volatile content, and environmental conditions.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":13199,"journal":{"name":"Icarus","volume":"424 ","pages":"Article 116286"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0019103524003464/pdfft?md5=75d7e7702bddf8ff8a471d18abbbc5fe&pid=1-s2.0-S0019103524003464-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142095070","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
IcarusPub Date : 2024-08-29DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116285
J. John, V. Thamarai, Teena Choudhary, M.N. Srinivasa, Ashwini Jambhalikar, M.S. Giridhar, Madan Mohan Mehra, Mayank Garg, K.V. Shila, Krishna Kummari, S.P. Karantha, Kalpana Arvind, K.V. Sriram
{"title":"Identification and preliminary characterisation of signals recorded by instrument for lunar seismic activity at the Chandrayaan 3 landing site","authors":"J. John, V. Thamarai, Teena Choudhary, M.N. Srinivasa, Ashwini Jambhalikar, M.S. Giridhar, Madan Mohan Mehra, Mayank Garg, K.V. Shila, Krishna Kummari, S.P. Karantha, Kalpana Arvind, K.V. Sriram","doi":"10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116285","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116285","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The science objective of the Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA) is to study the seismicity at the landing site of the Indian lunar mission, the Chandrayaan 3. It also aimed at demonstrating the capability of devices based on silicon micromachining technology to survive and operate in planetary missions and environments. The Chandrayaan 3 mission had a lander and a rover together carrying five different scientific instruments. ILSA was placed on the lunar surface and had six accelerometers in it. It was operated during the lunar day from 24 August 2023 to 4 September 2023. This paper presents the summary of observations made on 190 h of data recorded by ILSA. We have identified more than 250 distinct signals of which about 200 signals are correlated to known activities involving the physical movements of the rover or the operation of science instruments. This paper presents our approach in the preliminary characterisation and cataloguing of the events based on their temporal properties and spectral contents. It will also act a guide for the future researchers to search, identify and analyse the records made by ILSA.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":13199,"journal":{"name":"Icarus","volume":"424 ","pages":"Article 116285"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142122404","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}