[X] My Assistant

[ngunn]

The nearly longitudinal large scale streaks east of Tsegihi have been interpreted as either parallel mountain chains or as surface deposits of some kind superimposed on the topography. As I write this we are sandwiched between two significant events in the exploration of these features, the unfortunate loss of the T60 SAR data and the hoped-for T61 VIMS imaging. Below are a few tentative thoughts that I hope may prompt some discussion.

One look at the map of Titan and it’s clear that this area looks odd. The system of parallel stripes intersects the more typical surface markings formed by the frayed southern margin of the Senkyo sand sea at an angle of about 60 degrees. Furthermore those markings, formed by an active dune system, look fresher and more distinct than the strange longitudinal stripes. This leads to suggestion one:

1/ The stripes are older surface markings exposed by the net removal of newer sediments, palimpsests from an earlier era. In support of this idea I note that the area is in the lee of Tsegihi which presently functions as an effective barrier to sand transport. Farther north where the eastward flow of sand continues relatively unimpeded into Senkyo the longitudinal stripes are not seen. Suggestion one could be tested by examining the interdune spaces in the thinner parts of Senkyo to see if continuations of the stripes can be followed beneath the modern sands.
Why might albedo markings laid down in an earlier era be so differently oriented? This leads (though far from inevitably) to suggestion two:

2/ The stripes formed when their orientation with respect to Titan’s equator was very different from now.

From an earlier forum discussion it emerged that there was no clear evidence either for or against large scale reorientations of Titan’s crust in the past. Could it be that we have been looking at part of that evidence all this time? Of course a lot more would be required to make a serious case, so it's not too late for a bit of speculation. Total refutation is always welcome!