Some of Saturn's Small Satellites have Surprisingly Stygian Surfaces: Evidence for Proton-Induced Darkening in the Saturn System
Abstract
Saturn's small moons Aegaeon, Methone and Pallene are much darker than the nearby larger moons Janus, Mimas and Enceladus. This implies that some process is darkening the surfaces of these moons. We posit these moons' surfaces are more extensively weathered by the planet's radiation belts. Three of Saturn's moons/ are darker than their neighbors/ thanks to proton flux?
- Publication:
-
EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting 2019
- Pub Date:
- September 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019EPSC...13..306H