Journal Article

Energy Sources for Triton's Geyser-Like Plumes

Johnson, T. V., Brown, R. H., Kirk, R. L., Soderblom, L. A.

1990

Overview

Four geyser-like plumes were discovered near Triton's south pole in areas now in permanent sunlight. Because Triton's southern hemisphere is nearing a maximum summer solstice, insolation as a driver or a trigger for Triton's geyser-like plumes is an attractive hypothesis. Trapping of solar radiation in a translucent, low-conductivity surface layer (in a solid-state greenhouse), which is subsequently released in the form of latent heat of sublimation, could provide the required energy. Both the classical solid-state greenhouse consisting of exponentially absorbed insolation in a gray, translucent layer of solid nitrogen, and the \"super\" greenhouse consisting of a relatively transparent solid-nitrogen layer over an opaque, absorbing layer are plausible candidates. Geothermal heat may also play a part if assisted by the added energy input of seasonal cycles of insolation.

• Publisher: American Society for the Advancement of Science,American Association for the Advancement of Science,The American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Subject: Albedo / Energy sources / Geology / Geothermal power / Greenhouse effect / Ice / Insolation / Lunar And Planetary Exploration / Natural history / Neptune / Neptune (Planet) / Nitrogen / Plumes / Polar caps / Satellites / Satellites (Astronomical bodies) / Solid nitrogen / Sunlight / Surface temperature / Temperature gradients / Triton (Satellite)