Geologic Science Research Priorities for the Moons of Uranus

Ahrens, Caitlin

doi:10.3847/25c2cfeb.4ed69daf

Cited by 1 publication

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“…In particular, open questions include: the formation of the Uranian satellites in relation to the hypothesized giant impact that caused the extreme tilt of Uranus' rotational axis; the early impactor flux in the outer solar system; the long-term dynamics of the Uranian rings; and the existence of relict or modern subsurface oceans on Uranus' moons (e.g., Zahnle et al 2003;Arridge et al 2014;Wong et al 2019;Ahrens 2021;Cartwright et al 2021;Kirchoff et al 2022;Rufu & Canup 2022). Modeling suggests that Titania could plausibly preserve an ocean to the present day and the geologic record can illuminate potential links between the surface and past states of Titaniaʼs subsurface ocean (Bierson & Nimmo 2022;Castillo-Rogez et al 2023).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cratering and Tectonic History of the Largest Uranian Satellite, Titania: New Insights Enabled by Image Reprocessing

Nathan,

Head,

Huber

2024

Planet. Sci. J.

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From heavily cratered Umbriel to extensively tectonized Miranda, Titania is an intermediary of the Uranian system: heavily cratered, yet tectonically modified. An outstanding mystery in Titania's crater population is its apparent relative lack of large (>30 km) craters. However, progress has been limited by the coverage and quality of images available. Here, we present a new map of Titania enabled by reprocessing Voyager images to reduce the effects of motion blur. Of note, we identify a network of fractures, a set of lineaments that may represent a large multi-ring impact structure, and newly identified catenae. These findings suggest Titania's crater population is missing large craters due to viscous relaxation, tectonic resurfacing, and/or planetocentric debris, and does not necessarily require cryovolcanic resurfacing. In preparation for future missions to the Uranian system, this work presents foundations for identifying imaging targets that can contribute to furthering our understanding of the history and evolution of the Uranian system in a broader context of icy satellite evolution.

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