Hyperion's sponge-like appearance

Thomas, P. C. and Armstrong, J. W. and Asmar, S. W. and Burns, J. A. and Denk, T. and Giese, B. and Helfenstein, P. and Iess, L. and Johnson, T. V. and McEwen, A. and Nicolaisen, L. and Porco, C. and Rappaport, N. and Richardson, J. and Somenzi, L. and Tortora, P. and Turtle, E. P. and Veverka, J. (2007) Hyperion's sponge-like appearance. Nature, 448 (7149), pp. 50-53. DOI: 10.1038/nature05779.

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Official URL: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v448/n7149/index.html

Abstract

Saturn's Hyperion, the largest known irregularly-shaped satellite and the only moon observed to undergo chaotic rotation1-3, shows a sponge-like appearance at scales of a few km. This unique appearance, distinct from surfaces of other small, airless objects subject to shaping by impact cratering, suggested the possibility of unexpected modification of surface features (D. P. Cruikshank et al. in preparation). Here we analyze images of Hyperion to show that the appearance is the result of a high surface density of relatively well-preserved 2-10 km impact craters, we determine the size and mass of Hyperion, and obtain a mean density indicative of porosity >40%. The high porosity may enhance preservation of craters by minimizing the amount of ejecta produced or retained4,5 and thus be the crucial factor in this unusual landscape.

Document Type:

Article

Title:

Hyperion's sponge-like appearance

Authors:

Authors	Institution or Email of Authors
Thomas, P. C.	Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
Armstrong, J. W.	JPL, CALTEC, CA, USA
Asmar, S. W.	JPL, CALTEC, CA, USA
Burns, J. A.	Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
Denk, T.	Freie Universität Berlin
Giese, B.
Helfenstein, P.	Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
Iess, L.	Universita La Sapienza, Roma, Italy
Johnson, T. V.	JPL, CALTEC, CA, USA
McEwen, A.	University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
Nicolaisen, L.	University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Porco, C.	Space Science Institute, Boulder, CA, USA
Rappaport, N.	JPL, CALTEC, CA, USA
Richardson, J.	Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
Somenzi, L.	Universita La Sapienza, Roma, Italy
Tortora, P.	Universita di Bologna, Forli, Italy
Turtle, E. P.	John Hopkins University, APL, Laurel, MA, USA
Veverka, J.	Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA

Date:

2007

Journal or Publication Title:

Nature

Refereed publication:

Yes

In ISI Web of Science:

Yes

Volume:

448

DOI:

10.1038/nature05779

Page Range:

pp. 50-53

Editors:

Editors	Email
NPG,

Status:

Published

Keywords:

Hyperion, Saturnian satellites

HGF - Research field:

Aeronautics, Space and Transport

HGF - Program:

Space

HGF - Program Themes:

W EW - Erforschung des Weltraums

DLR - Research area:

Space

DLR - Program:

W EW - Erforschung des Weltraums

DLR - Research theme (Project):

W - Vorhaben CASSINI (old)

Location:

Berlin-Adlershof

Institutes and Institutions:

Institute of Planetary Research > Planetary Geodesy

Deposited By:

Dr.rer.nat. Bernd Giese

Deposited On:

15 Jan 2008

Last Modified:

27 Apr 2009 14:34

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