The lakes and seas of Titan
The lakes and seas of Titan
复制标题
泰坦的湖泊和海洋
DOI：
10.1029/2007eo510001
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发表时间：
2007
期刊：
影响因子：
--
通讯作者：
F. Paganelli
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Rosaly M. C. Lopes;K. Mitchell;S. Wall;G. Mitri;M. Janssen;S. Ostro;R. Kirk;A. Hayes;E. Stofan;J. Lunine;R. Lorenz;C. Wood;J. Radebaugh;P. Paillou;H. Zebker;F. Paganelli
与地球的水循环类似，土卫六基于甲烷的水文循环支持静止的液体并驱动导致常见形态特征（包括沙丘、渠道、湖泊和海洋）的过程。就像地球和早期火星上的湖泊一样，土卫六的湖泊和海洋保留了其气候和表面演化的记录。与地球不同，土卫六表面暴露的液体量仅占大气储量的一小部分。海洋的体积和整体成分可以限制大气甲烷的年龄和性质，以及它与地表储层的相互作用。同样，湖盆的形态记录了极地景观在多个时间和空间尺度上的历史。稀有气体、高阶碳氢化合物和腈等痕量物种的分布可以解决土卫六的起源以及生命起源和生物过程的潜力。因此，土卫六的湖泊和海洋是一个引人注目的勘探目标。
Analogous to Earth's water cycle, Titan's methane-based hydrologic cycle supports standing bodies of liquid and drives processes that result in common morphologic features including dunes, channels, lakes, and seas. Like lakes on Earth and early Mars, Titan's lakes and seas preserve a record of its climate and surface evolution. Unlike on Earth, the volume of liquid exposed on Titan's surface is only a small fraction of the atmospheric reservoir. The volume and bulk composition of the seas can constrain the age and nature of atmospheric methane, as well as its interaction with surface reservoirs. Similarly, the morphology of lacustrine basins chronicles the history of the polar landscape over multiple temporal and spatial scales. The distribution of trace species, such as noble gases and higher-order hydrocarbons and nitriles, can address Titan's origin and the potential for both prebiotic and biotic processes. Accordingly, Titan's lakes and seas represent a compelling target for exploration.