NAI
2013 Annual Science Report
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory - Titan
Reporting | SEP 2012 – AUG 2013
Task 1.1.1: Leaching of Radiogenic Potassium From Titan’s Core Into Its Ocean
Project Summary
Working with graduate student Jason Hofgartner and NAI collaborator Christophe Sotin, we modeled the equilibrium chemistry of potassium at high pressure in the interior aqueous media in Saturn’s moon Titan to determine the extent of potassium leaching. This, in turn, allows us to test the hydrated silicate core model proposed by J. Castillo-Rogez and NAI Titan deputy PI Jonathan Lunine.
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Project Progress
The basic calculations using SUPRCRIT were completed by Jason Hofgartner and demonstrated that that significant amounts of radioactive potassium-40 can be leached out of a hydrated silicate core into the overlying ocean. This in turn increases the longevity of the hydrated silicate core against dehydration, a longevity suggested by Titan’s moment of inertia
Potassium activity in an aqueous ammonia system (from Hofgartner et al AGU).
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PROJECT INVESTIGATORS:
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PROJECT MEMBERS:
Jonathan Lunine
Project Investigator
Christophe Sotin
Co-Investigator
Jason Hofgartner
Collaborator
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RELATED OBJECTIVES:
Objective 1.1
Formation and evolution of habitable planets.
Objective 2.1
Mars exploration.
Objective 2.2
Outer Solar System exploration
Objective 3.2
Origins and evolution of functional biomolecules
Objective 7.1
Biosignatures to be sought in Solar System materials