A5027810119- Astro and Planetary Science
- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Space Exploration and Technology
- Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies
- Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
- Marine and environmental studies
- Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies
- High-pressure geophysics and materials
- Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
- Cryospheric studies and observations
- Advanced Chemical Physics Studies
- Polar Research and Ecology
- Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies
- Hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir analysis
- Geological and Geochemical Analysis
- X-ray Diffraction in Crystallography
- Crystallization and Solubility Studies
- Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- Spaceflight effects on biology
- Aeolian processes and effects
- Chemical Thermodynamics and Molecular Structure
- Climate change and permafrost
- Molecular Spectroscopy and Structure
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
2016-2025
California Institute of Technology
2014-2024
Space Information Laboratories (United States)
2024
Johns Hopkins University
2021
University of Washington
2021
Globe University
2021
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
2021
Cornell University
2021
Goddard Space Flight Center
2021
Ames Research Center
2021
Abstract Enceladus’s long-lived plume of ice grains and water vapor makes accessing oceanic material readily achievable from orbit (around Saturn or Enceladus) the moon’s surface. In preparation for National Academies Sciences, Engineering Medicine 2023–2032 Planetary Science Astrobiology Decadal Survey, we investigated four architectures capable collecting analyzing and/or on surface to address most pressing questions at Enceladus: Is subsurface ocean inhabited? Why, why not? Trades...
Abstract The existence of cryovolcanic features on Titan has been the subject some controversy. Here we use observations from Cassini RADAR, including Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging, radiometry, and topographic data as well compositional Visible Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) to reexamine several putative in terms likely processes origin (fluvial, cryovolcanic, or other). We present evidence support region formerly known Sotra Facula, which includes deepest pit so far found...
revealed that Saturn's Moon Enceladus hosts a subsurface ocean meets the accepted criteria for habitability with bio-essential elements and compounds, liquid water, energy sources available in environment. Whether these conditions are sufficiently abundant collocated to support life remains unknown cannot be determined from
Titan has an organic-rich atmosphere and surface with a subsurface liquid water ocean that may represent habitable environment. In this work, we determined the amount of organic material can be delivered from Titan's to its through impact cratering. We assumed craters produce melt deposits composed founder in lower-density ice crust estimated molecules could incorporated into these lenses. used known yields for HCN haze hydrolysis determine glycine produced lenses found range possible flux...
For the last decade, passive radiometer incorporated in Cassini RADAR has recorded 2.2 cm wavelength thermal emission from Titan's seas. In this paper, we analyze radiometry observations collected February 2007 to January 2015 over one of these seas, Ligeia Mare, with goal providing constraints on its composition, bathymetry, and dynamics. light depth profile obtained by Mastrogiuseppe et al. (2014) a two-layer model, find that dielectric constant sea liquid is <1.8, loss tangent . Both...
Observations from Cassini VIMS and ISS show localized but extensive surface brightenings in the wake of 2010 September cloudburst. Four separate areas, all at similar latitude, changes: Yalaing Terra, Hetpet Regio, Concordia Adiri. Our analysis shows a general pattern to time-sequence after cloudburst areas darken for months, then brighten year before reverting their original spectrum. From rapid reversion timescale we infer that process driving brightening owes fine-grained solidified...
We describe a mission concept for stand-alone Titan airplane mission: Aerial Vehicle In-situ and Airborne Reconnaissance (AVIATR). With independent delivery direct-to-Earth communications, AVIATR could contribute to science either alone or as part of sustained Exploration Program. As focused mission, we have envisioned it would concentrate on the that an can do best: exploration Titan's global diversity. focus surface geology/hydrology lower-atmospheric structure dynamics. carefully chosen...
Abstract The topography provided by altimetry, synthetic aperture radar‐topography, and stereo radargrammetry has opened new doors for Titan research allowing quantitative analysis of morphologic form. Using altimetry measurements, we show that Titan's Maria are consistent with an equipotential surface but several filled lakes found to be hundreds meters above this sea level, suggesting they exist in isolated or perched basins. Within a given drainage basin, empty lake floors typically...
The atomic-scale fragmentation processes involved in molecules undergoing hypervelocity impacts (HVIs; defined as >3 km/s) are challenging to investigate via experiments and still not well understood. This is particularly relevant for the consistency of biosignals from small-molecular-weight neutral organic obtained during solar system robotic missions sampling atmospheres plumes at hypervelocities. Experimental measurements replicate HVI effects on challenging, both terms accelerating...
Abstract Thanks to the Cassini–Huygens mission, Titan, pale orange dot of Pioneer and Voyager encounters, has been revealed be a dynamic, hydrologically shaped, organic-rich ocean world offering unparalleled opportunities explore prebiotic chemistry. And while revolutionized our understanding each three “layers” Titan—the atmosphere, surface, interior—we are only beginning hypothesize how these realms interact. In this paper, we summarize current state Titan knowledge discuss future...
Abstract We examined the spectral properties of a selection Titan's impact craters that represent range degradation states. The most degraded have rims and ejecta blankets with characteristics suggest they are more enriched in water ice than freshest on Titan. progression is consistent chemical weathering surface. propose an evolutionary sequence such expose intimate mixture organic materials, by methane rainfall removes soluble leaving insoluble organics behind. These observations support...