Publication Abstracts

Turtle et al. 2011

Turtle, E.P., J.E. Perry, A.G. Hayes, R.D. Lorenz, J.W. Barnes, A.S. McEwen, R.A. West, A.D. Del Genio, J.M. Barbara, J.L. Lunine, E.L. Schaller, T.L. Ray, R.M.C. Lopes, and E.R. Stofan, 2011: Rapid and extensive surface changes near Titan's equator: Evidence of April showers. Science, 331, 1414-1417, doi:10.1126/science.1201063.

Although there is evidence that liquids have flowed on the surface at Titan's equator in the past, to date, liquids have only been confirmed on the surface at polar latitudes, and the vast expanses of dunes that dominate Titan's equatorial regions require a predominantly arid climate. We report the detection by Cassini's Imaging Science Subsystem of a large low-latitude cloud system early in Titan's northern spring and extensive surface changes (spanning more than 500,000 square kilometers) in the wake of this storm. The changes are most consistent with widespread methane rainfall reaching the surface, which suggests that the dry channels observed at Titan's low latitudes are carved by seasonal precipitation.

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BibTeX Citation

@article{tu09200l,
  author={Turtle, E. P. and Perry, J. E. and Hayes, A. G. and Lorenz, R. D. and Barnes, J. W. and McEwen, A. S. and West, R. A. and Del Genio, A. D. and Barbara, J. M. and Lunine, J. L. and Schaller, E. L. and Ray, T. L. and Lopes, R. M. C. and Stofan, E. R.},
  title={Rapid and extensive surface changes near Titan's equator: Evidence of April showers},
  year={2011},
  journal={Science},
  volume={331},
  pages={1414--1417},
  doi={10.1126/science.1201063},
}

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RIS Citation

TY  - JOUR
ID  - tu09200l
AU  - Turtle, E. P.
AU  - Perry, J. E.
AU  - Hayes, A. G.
AU  - Lorenz, R. D.
AU  - Barnes, J. W.
AU  - McEwen, A. S.
AU  - West, R. A.
AU  - Del Genio, A. D.
AU  - Barbara, J. M.
AU  - Lunine, J. L.
AU  - Schaller, E. L.
AU  - Ray, T. L.
AU  - Lopes, R. M. C.
AU  - Stofan, E. R.
PY  - 2011
TI  - Rapid and extensive surface changes near Titan's equator: Evidence of April showers
JA  - Science
JO  - Science
VL  - 331
SP  - 1414
EP  - 1417
DO  - 10.1126/science.1201063
ER  -

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