Understanding the Creation of an Ocean on Saturn’s Moon Mimas
New research published in the journal Planetary Science Letters suggests that the ocean on Saturn’s icy moon Mimas may be linked to its orbit around the planet.
Discovery of the Ocean
Earlier this year, researchers found a vast ocean hidden beneath the surface of Mimas, accounting for almost half of its volume. The same team has now proposed a theory on how this massive water body came into existence.
Speculations on Mimas’ Evolution
Scientists speculate that Mimas, with its current thin icy shell, may have originally had a thick frozen exterior. As the moon’s orbit around Saturn became less eccentric over time due to the planet’s gravitational pull, the icy shell gradually melted and thinned.
According to the research team, this process occurred around two to 25 million years ago, resulting in the formation of the subsurface ocean. This ocean, considered relatively young in terms of solar system features, is estimated to be located 20 to 30 kilometers beneath the ice crust surface and 40 to 45 kilometers deep.
Insights from the Research Team
Research team leader Matthew E. Walker explained that the thinning of Mimas’ icy shell and the creation of the ocean are interconnected. He highlighted that the ocean’s formation was a result of the moon’s eccentricity decreasing over time, leading to the gradual thinning of the icy shell.
Walker, a Senior Scientist at the Planetary Science Institute, emphasized the youth of Mimas’ ocean in geological terms, shedding light on the moon’s unique evolution within the Saturnian system.
Unique Characteristics of Mimas
Despite its small size, Mimas is known for its distinctive features, including the ‘death star’ nickname due to the Herschel crater resembling the iconic space station from Star Wars. With a diameter of approximately 148 miles, Mimas is significantly smaller than Earth’s moon.
The discovery of the subsurface ocean has added a new dimension to our understanding of this intriguing moon, highlighting the dynamic processes that have shaped its geological history.
