Ceres' Global Cryosphere
Abstract
Prior to the arrival of the Dawn spacecraft at Ceres, the dwarf planet was anticipated to have a deep global cryosphere protected by a thin silicate lag. Gravity science along with data collected by Dawn's Framing Camera (FC), Gamma Ray and Neutron Detector (GRaND), and Visible and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIR-MS) during the primary mission at Ceres have confirmed the existence of a global, silicate-rich cryosphere, and suggest the existence of deeper ice, brine, or mud layers. As such, Ceres' surface morphology has characteristics in common with both Mars and the small icy bodies of the outer solar system. We will summarize the evidence for the existence and global extent of the Cerean cryosphere. We will also discuss the range of morphological features that have been linked to subsurface ice, and highlight outstanding science questions.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2017
- Bibcode:
- 2017AGUFM.P53H..06S
- Keywords:
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- 0738 Ice;
- CRYOSPHERE;
- 4540 Ice mechanics and air/sea/ice exchange processes;
- OCEANOGRAPHY: PHYSICAL;
- 6207 Comparative planetology;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS;
- 5422 Ices;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLID SURFACE PLANETS