13.2.08

Moon Geography

Image source with more information
Credit: NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute


This image of Tethys shows us its three most notable features. Top left is the Odysseus impact basin - chief reason why, to my great shame, I often have difficulty distinguishing Tethys from Mimas. Bottom right is Ithaca Chasma, the second largest canyon in the solar system after Valles Marineris. Finally, there's a subtle dark band in the middle, like a dirty thumbprint, as yet unnamed.

In other news, rumours are circulating that the American government suspects Titan of harbouring weapons of mass destruction...

4 comments:

Zhoen said...

Well, those Titans were a fractious bunch.

Anonymous said...

Or is it that Saturn is hiding WMPs? in either case, its our duty to protect Titan, till such time as it can govern itself and its resources responsibly...

:-)

Anonymous said...

While both Tethys and Mimas have huge craters, you can clearly distinguish the two because Tethys is much larger and it's topography is more relaxed. Both regular impact craters and the two huge ones are more relaxed on Tethys. Herschel on Mimas is much deeper for instance.

Pacian said...

Thanks Gordan. You're quite right, Tethys is a much flatter place. I think I have some hope of distinguishing them now...