Unit:
Τομέας Ορυκτολογίας - ΠετρολογίαςLibrary of the School of Science
Author:
Σολωμονίδου Ανεζίνα
Dissertation committee:
Καθηγητής Κωνσταντίνος Κυριακόπουλος ΕΚΠΑ (Επιβλέπων), Δόκτωρ Αθηνά Κουστένη (Observatoire de Paris), Καθηγητής Ξενοφών Μουσάς (Ε.Κ.Π.Α.)
Original Title:
Comparative study of the diachronic evolution of the geological and volcanological environments of the Earth and the Saturnian satellites, Titan and Enceladus
Translated title:
Συγκριτική μελέτη της διαχρονικής εξέλιξης των γεωλογικών και ηφαιστειολογικών περιβαλλόντων της Γης με τους κρυο-δορυφόρους του Κρόνου, Τιτάνα και Εγκέλαδο
Summary:
This thesis presents on the study of the environment of Titan and Enceladus,
Saturn’s satellites observed by the Cassini-Huygens mission. Various aspects of
the geology of Titan are presented focusing on the characteristics of the
surface geological features and processes,the internal structure and the
correlation with the atmosphere. The morphotectonic features are presented on
the basis of terrestrial models. Moreover, Titan areas probably correlated with
the interior are tested against a geophysical model of tidal distortion and
found to conform with localisation and internal dynamics. We then study the
surface albedo and composition of specific Titan areas (Hotei Regio, Tui Regio,
Sotra Patera) –determined by the PCA method- based on data from Cassini/VIMS
(0.4–5 μm) on which a radiative transfer code is applied with the most updated
spectroscopic parameters. Monitoring of these areas showed surface albedo
changes in the course of 1-3.5 yrs, implying dynamic exogenic-endogenic
processes that affect the surface and compatible with cryovolcanism in the case
of Sotra Patera. Processes that form the surface of Enceladus are also
discussed. In addition, the analogies with the Earth's surface and possible
internal processes on the icy satellites are being explored. The
astrobiological implications of this work are discussed within the framework of
the quest for habitable environments in our outer Solar system. These studies
are related to the preparation of future space missions to the systems of
Jupiter and Saturn and payload capability. Finally, public awareness and
perspectives of this research are discussed.
Keywords:
Planetary Geology, Titan, Cryovolcanism, Icy moons, Comparative Planetology
Number of references:
550
