Title |
Dunes on Pluto
|
---|---|
Published in |
Science, June 2018
|
DOI | 10.1126/science.aao2975 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Matt W. Telfer, Eric J. R. Parteli, Jani Radebaugh, Ross A. Beyer, Tanguy Bertrand, François Forget, Francis Nimmo, Will M. Grundy, Jeffrey M. Moore, S. Alan Stern, John Spencer, Tod R. Lauer, Alissa M. Earle, Richard P. Binzel, Hal A. Weaver, Cathy B. Olkin, Leslie A. Young, Kimberly Ennico, Kirby Runyon, Marc Buie, Bonnie Buratti, Andy Cheng, J.J. Kavelaars, Ivan Linscott, William B. McKinnon, Harold Reitsema, Dennis Reuter, Paul Schenk, Mark Showalter, Len Tyler |
Abstract |
The surface of Pluto is more geologically diverse and dynamic than had been expected, but the role of its tenuous atmosphere in shaping the landscape remains unclear. We describe observations from the New Horizons spacecraft of regularly spaced, linear ridges whose morphology, distribution, and orientation are consistent with being transverse dunes. These are located close to mountainous regions and are orthogonal to nearby wind streaks. We demonstrate that the wavelength of the dunes (~0.4 to 1 kilometer) is best explained by the deposition of sand-sized (~200 to ~300 micrometer) particles of methane ice in moderate winds (<10 meters per second). The undisturbed morphology of the dunes, and relationships with the underlying convective glacial ice, imply that the dunes have formed in the very recent geological past. |
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France | 11 | 3% |
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Demographic breakdown
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---|---|---|
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Scientists | 61 | 18% |
Science communicators (journalists, bloggers, editors) | 10 | 3% |
Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 3 | <1% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
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---|---|---|
Unknown | 95 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Ph. D. Student | 25 | 26% |
Researcher | 13 | 14% |
Student > Master | 11 | 12% |
Student > Bachelor | 7 | 7% |
Professor | 6 | 6% |
Other | 18 | 19% |
Unknown | 15 | 16% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
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Physics and Astronomy | 11 | 12% |
Engineering | 5 | 5% |
Chemistry | 3 | 3% |
Environmental Science | 2 | 2% |
Other | 11 | 12% |
Unknown | 17 | 18% |