Modeling Mimas interior (IMAGE)

Southwest Research Institute

Modeling Mimas interior

Caption

Mimas’ heavily cratered surface (left) suggests a cold history, but its librations rule out a homogeneous interior. Rather, Mimas must have a rocky interior and outer hydrosphere, which could include a liquid ocean (Option A) or be fully frozen with an irregularly shaped core (Option B). An ocean provides a better fit to the phase of the libration but is difficult to reconcile with Mimas’ geology.

Credit

NASA/JPL/SSI/SwRI

Usage Restrictions

No restrictions.

License

Public Domain

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