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Detailed Reference Information |
Stansberry, J.A. (1989). Albedo patterns on Triton. Geophysical Research Letters 16: doi: 10.1029/89GL01413. issn: 0094-8276. |
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A model for seasonal transport of volatiles based on Trafton [1984> is coupled to considerations of methane photochemistry to infer albedo patterns on Triton's surface at the time of the Voyager encounter. The relatively large southern subsolar latitude at present is predicted to cause the deposition of an extensive fresh frost layer covering approximately the northern half of the planet. The region between 10¿ and -35¿ latitude is expected to be devoid of surface frosts and will probably be covered with organic compounds resulting from methane dissociative chemistry. These substances are thought to be rather low in albedo and red in color. Triton's south polar cap is expected to extend from -35¿ latitude to the southern pole. Sublimation of Triton's south polar ices been occurring since 1930, but has been preferentially occurring near the pole. The sublimation of ices in this region may be concentrating dark organic matter on the surface of the ice or exposing layers of this material which have built up in the ice over many seasonal cycles. The south polar cap may be distinctly darker near the pole than around the equatorward edge. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1989 |
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Abstract |
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Keywords
Planetology, Fluid Planets, Surfaces |
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Publisher
American Geophysical Union 2000 Florida Avenue N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009-1277 USA 1-202-462-6900 1-202-328-0566 service@agu.org |
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