University of Washington Astrobiology Seminar: Kevin Hand, "Joule Heating of the South Polar Terrain on Enceladus"
Date/Time: Tuesday November 10, 2009 2:30PM Pacific
Speaker: Kevin Hand (Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
Abstract: The plumes and observed heat flux in the South Polar Terrain of Enceladus remain a considerable mystery. We report that Joule heating in Enceladus – resulting from the interaction of Enceladus with Saturn’s magnetic field – may account for several, to a few tens of megawatts of power across the observed “tiger stripe” fractures. Electric currents passing through subsurface channels of low salinity and just a few kilometres in depth could supply a source of power to the South Polar Terrain, providing a small but previously unaccounted for contribution to the observed heat flux and plume activity. For more information and participation instructions: http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/seminars/detail/164 [Source: NAI Newsletter]
