Barchan dunes on Pluto?

Ribeiro Parteli EJ, Pöschel T (2017)


Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2017

Journal

Book Volume: 140

Article Number: 14010

DOI: 10.1051/epjconf/201714014010

Abstract

We show that the orientation and morphology of bedforms occurring on top of Pluto’s smooth ice coats are consistent with an aeolian origin under conditions of unidirectional flow. From scaling relations for dune size as a function of attributes of atmosphere and sediments, we find that the average diameter of the granular particles constituting such bedforms — assuming an aeolian origin — lies within the range 600 μm< d < 750 μm. Our findings show that, owing to the effect of hysteresis in the minimal threshold wind velocity for saltation, dune migration on Pluto can occur under wind speeds that are common to Earth and Mars.

 

Authors with CRIS profile

How to cite

APA:

Ribeiro Parteli, E.J., & Pöschel, T. (2017). Barchan dunes on Pluto? EPJ Web of Conferences, 140. https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/201714014010

MLA:

Ribeiro Parteli, Eric Josef, and Thorsten Pöschel. "Barchan dunes on Pluto?" EPJ Web of Conferences 140 (2017).

BibTeX: Download