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Science 11 June 1971:
Vol. 172. no. 3988, pp. 1127 - 1128
DOI: 10.1126/science.172.3988.1127
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Articles

Satellites of the Outer Planets: Thermal Models

John S. Lewis 1

1 Planetary Astronomy Laboratory, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139

Steady-state thermal models for the large satellites of the outer planets strongly indicate that their interiors are currently maintained at temperatures well above the ice-ammonia eutectic temperature by the decay of long-lived radioisotopes of potassium, uranium, and thorium. The present-day steady-state thermal structure of a representative satellite, J IV (Callisto), is shown to be characterized by the presence of a thin icy crust over a deep liquid mantle, with a dense core of hydrous silicates and iron oxides. Some dynamical consequences of this model are briefly discussed.


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