Title:

To Titan, via Namibia

Publication Year:
2016
Abstract:

We note the value of Namibia as an analogue location for planetary geology, and in particular for its spectacular linear dunes as morphological analogues for those found on the surface of Saturn's giant haze-shrouded moon, Titan. These dunes are linear in form, tens to hundreds of km long, spaced by 2- 3 km, and up to about 150 m tall. Despite the different sand composition, different gravity and Titan's denser atmosphere, these parameters are exactly the same as those in the Namib, making it an appealing place to perform in-situ investigations to help interpret remote sensing of Titan. Roter Kamm, as a rare example of a terrestrial impact structure intruded upon by linear dunes, also has counterparts on Titan. Keywords: Geomorphology, planetary science, analogues, dunes, impact crater.

Publication Title:

Communications of the Geological Survey of Namibia

Publisher:
Geological Survey of Namibia
Volume:
17
Pages:
51-65
Item Type:
Journal Article
Language:
en
Files:
Attachment Size
To Titan_via Namibia_2016_P51_65.pdf 1.66 MB