Planetary Geoscience
The Saturn System
Researchers in the UT EPS Department are investigating various processes and landforms on the surface of Titan, the largest moon of Saturn. At ten times Earth’s distance from the Sun, Titan is a frozen world whose surface is largely water ice. But recent images from Titan reveal a surprisingly Earth-like landscape. Fluvial features formed by flowing liquid methane/nitrogen have carved terrestrial-style river networks on Titan’s surface. And the winds in Titan’s thick atmosphere have produced extensive aeolian dunes covering ~20% of the satellite’s surface.
Prof. Burr is conducting investigations into both aeolian and fluvial processes on Titan.