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Science 19 October 1990:
Vol. 250. no. 4979, pp. 421 - 424
DOI: 10.1126/science.250.4979.421
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Articles

Surface and Airborne Evidence for Plumes and Winds on Triton

C. J. Hansen 1, A. S. McEwen 2, A. P. Ingersoll 3, and R. J. Terrile 1

1 Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA 91109
2 U.S. Geological Survey, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
3 California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125

Aeolian features on Triton that were imaged during the Voyager Mission have been grouped. The term "aeolian feature" is broadly defined as features produced by or blown by the wind, including surface and airborne materials. Observations of the latitudinal distributions of the features probably associated with current activity (known plumes, crescent streaks, fixed terminator clouds, and limb haze with overshoot) all occur from latitude -37° to latitude -62°. Likely indicators of previous activity (dark surface streaks) occur from latitude -5° to -70°, but are most abundant from -15° to -45°, generally north of currently active features. Those indicators which give information on wind direction and speed have been measured. Wind direction is a function of altitude. The predominant direction of the surface wind streaks is found to be between 40° and 80° measured clockwise from north. The average orientation of streaks in the northeast quadrant is 59°. Winds at 1- to 3- kilometer altitude are eastward, while those at &8 kilometers blow west.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Triton's Geyser-Like Plumes: Discovery and Basic Characterization.
L. A. Soderblom, L. A. Soderblom, S. W. Kieffer, T. L. Becker, R. H. Brown, A. F. Cook II, C. J. Hansen, T. V. Johnson, R. L. Kirk, and E. M. Shoemaker (1990)
Science 250, 410-415
   Abstract »    PDF »
Subsurface Energy Storage and Transport for Solar-Powered Geysers on Triton.
R. L. Kirk, R. L. Kirk, R. H. Brown, and L. A. Soderblom (1990)
Science 250, 424-429
   Abstract »    PDF »


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