Iapetus - Black on white or white on black? |
Iapetus - Black on white or white on black? |
Sep 14 2007, 07:40 AM
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#1
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Member Group: Members Posts: 813 Joined: 8-February 04 From: Arabia Terra Member No.: 12 |
Seems to be a lot of dispute on this subject... I think it's ice from the interior, but what does everyone else think?
Edit: This world seems very complex so the question could perhaps be phrased as 'which of these options is most responsible for the Iapetan dichotomy?' |
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Sep 17 2007, 06:08 PM
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#2
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Member Group: Members Posts: 903 Joined: 30-January 05 Member No.: 162 |
We note earth's moon to have an orbit about earth rather suspiciously 'relaxed' into alignment with the ecliptic.
We note something rather similar in regards to Iapetus. Not sure we can infer an exogenous origin for Iapetus from such an orbital characteristic, Saturn having such a nice big Hill sphere, and Iapetus orbiting, albeit inclinedly, circularly and comfortably inside. |
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