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Thermal segregation of water ice on the Galilean satellites

Journal Article · · Icarus; (United States)
The susceptibility of dirty ice surfaces to a water cold-trapping process in the Galilean satellites' local bright patches, in association with preferential removal from dark areas, is inferred on the basis of a consideration of the thermal sublimation of ice. A decade time-scale segregation of the surface into bright icy regions and dark ice-free lag deposit regions would be the main consequence of such a process. While ion sputtering and micrometeorite bombardment do not appear to be of sufficient magnitude for a prevention of the process on Callisto and Ganymede, sputtering on the trailing side of Europa may be able to prevent segregation. 49 references.
Research Organization:
Arizona Univ., Tucson
OSTI ID:
6238346
Journal Information:
Icarus; (United States), Journal Name: Icarus; (United States) Vol. 69; ISSN ICRSA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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