Geologic Evidence for a South Polar Impact on Enceladus
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Cassini Data Analysis Program
Subaward to PSI from The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
PI: James Roberts (John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory)
Overall Objectives
For this proposal, Dr. Alex Patthoff will be tasked with analyzing the terrain surrounding the south polar region of Enceladus for tectonic evidence of a large impactor. Specifically, he will examine the ridges and troughs in the region of 55° S latitude for structural features that could be evidence of a crater rim.
These measurements will be compared to model results produced by the PI and other Co-Is on the proposal. Additionally, Alex will assist with examining craters for evidence of relaxation and possible secondary impactors. Alex is an expert in icy satellite tectonics, specifically Saturn’s moon Enceladus. He has extensive
knowledge of the geologic history of Enceladus and experience working with Cassini ISS data, which will be used for this project.
