Evidence found for geysers on Charon
Posted: Fri, Jul 20, 2007, 7:25 AM ET (1125 GMT)
Astronomers announced this week that they have found evidence for geysers of water ice on Pluto's large moon Charon. Spectra taken of Charon using the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii detected patches of water ice crystals and ammonia hydrates on the moon's surface. These deposits are likely created by geysers of water ice, mixed with ammonia, erupting on the surface. the ice is believed to be relatively fresh since it is still in crystalline form; older water ice deposits would become amorphous over tens of thousands of years because of solar radiation. The geysers are believed to be powered by liquid water deep in the moon's interior, heated by internal radioactivity, and mixed with ammonia to remain liquid at colder temperatures. Such cryovolcanism has been seen on a number of other icy bodies in the outer solar system.
Astronomers announced this week that they have found evidence for geysers of water ice on Pluto's large moon Charon. Spectra taken of Charon using the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii detected patches of water ice crystals and ammonia hydrates on the moon's surface. These deposits are likely created by geysers of water ice, mixed with ammonia, erupting on the surface. the ice is believed to be relatively fresh since it is still in crystalline form; older water ice deposits would become amorphous over tens of thousands of years because of solar radiation. The geysers are believed to be powered by liquid water deep in the moon's interior, heated by internal radioactivity, and mixed with ammonia to remain liquid at colder temperatures. Such cryovolcanism has been seen on a number of other icy bodies in the outer solar system.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, February 21
British-backed Smile headed to Europe’s Spaceport
ESA — 10:00 am ET (1500 GMT) ESA to launch Celeste LEO-PNT on March 24
GPS World — 10:00 am ET (1500 GMT) Commercial Space Stations Could Host Simulated Human Mars Trip
Aviation Week — 9:54 am ET (1454 GMT) NASA's Artemis II mission set to send humans beyond the Moon in March. Here's what you need to know
Australian Broadcasting Corporation — 9:52 am ET (1452 GMT) NASA boss blasts Boeing and agency over bungled test flight that left astronauts stranded on space station
Australian Broadcasting Corporation — 9:52 am ET (1452 GMT) |
