Pluto Surface Observations 1: NH Post-Encounter Phase, 1 Aug 2015- 10 Oct 2015 |
Pluto Surface Observations 1: NH Post-Encounter Phase, 1 Aug 2015- 10 Oct 2015 |
Aug 1 2015, 05:53 PM
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Merciless Robot Group: Admin Posts: 8783 Joined: 8-December 05 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 602 |
This topic will contain images & discussion of same as they arrive during the extended download period. Similar threads will be opened in coming months as required as acquired data & discussion proceeds.
-------------------- A few will take this knowledge and use this power of a dream realized as a force for change, an impetus for further discovery to make less ancient dreams real.
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Aug 10 2015, 11:38 AM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 137 Joined: 16-June 15 Member No.: 7507 |
QUOTE If liquid phases of N2 are stable a few meters down That shouldn't be possible. N2 requires a minimum of around 15-20 meters of ice at Pluto's pressure and gravity at an optimal temperature. Eutectics may have a significant impact on the required temperature range, but they're unlikely to lower the pressure requirements, esp. since nitrogen has much lower pressure requirements than CO, Ne, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if there are actual liquids there rather than just flowing solids (though the boundary between liquids and solids is kind of fuzzy in this context). But if so they're going to be a lot deeper than just a couple meters. It'd also mean that temperatures would either have to be a bit warmer than Pluto's average solar equilibrium temperature, or that eutectics would need to lower the triple point temperature. Neither are unrealistic possibilities, but there's no guarantees either - and the high albedo of Tombaugh works against it. I really want to see closeups of the "crack" patterning on Sputnik. I'm really curious as to whether they'll appear to be something filled in by liquid. Too bad there's no radar data to be able to get an idea of surface texture... I'd love to know if there's any "cryolava pillowing" going on if liquids ever reach the surface. Then again, nitrogen may not be able to form a sturdy enough shell to form pillows - we've all seen the videos of how it behaves when it's rapidly evaporatively cooled. |
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