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Sublimation-driven convection in Sputnik Planitia on Pluto

Author

Listed:
  • Adrien Morison

    (Physics and Astronomy, University of Exeter)

  • Stéphane Labrosse

    (Université de Lyon, ENSL, Univ Lyon-1, CNRS)

  • Gaël Choblet

    (Nantes Université, CNRS, Université d’Angers)

Abstract

Sputnik Planitia is a nitrogen-ice-filled basin on Pluto1. Its polygonal surface patterns2 have been previously explained as a result of solid-state convection with either an imposed heat flow3 or a temperature difference within the 10-km-thick ice layer4. Neither explanation is satisfactory, because they do not exhibit surface topography with the observed pattern: flat polygons delimited by narrow troughs5. Internal heating produces the observed patterns6, but the heating source in such a setup remains enigmatic. Here we report the results of modelling the effects of sublimation at the surface. We find that sublimation-driven convection readily produces the observed polygonal structures if we assume a smaller heat flux (~0.3 mW m−2) at the base of the ice layer than the commonly accepted value of 2–3 mW m−2 (ref. 7). Sustaining this regime with the latter value is also possible, but would require a stronger viscosity contrast (~3,000) than the nominal value (~100) considered in this study.

Suggested Citation

  • Adrien Morison & Stéphane Labrosse & Gaël Choblet, 2021. "Sublimation-driven convection in Sputnik Planitia on Pluto," Nature, Nature, vol. 600(7889), pages 419-423, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:600:y:2021:i:7889:d:10.1038_s41586-021-04095-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04095-w
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