Origin of a partially differentiated Titan |
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Authors: | Amy C Barr Robert I Citron Robin M Canup |
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Institution: | a Department of Space Studies, Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, CO 80302, USA b Center for Lunar Origin and Evolution, Boulder, CO 80302, USA c Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, Boulder, CO 80309, USA d Planetary Science Directorate, Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, CO 80302, USA |
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Abstract: | Accretional temperature profiles for Saturn’s large moon Titan are used to determine the conditions needed for accretion to avoid global melting as a function of the timing, duration, and nebular conditions of Titan’s accretion. We find that Titan can accrete undifferentiated in a “gas-starved” disk even with modest quantities of ammonia mixed in with its ices. Simulations of impact-induced core formation are used to show that Titan can remain only partially differentiated after an outer Solar System late heavy bombardment capable of melting its outer layers, permitting some of its rock to consolidate into a core. |
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Keywords: | Titan Saturn |
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