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Crater populations on Ganymede and CallistoVoyager 1 observations reveal heavily cratered surfaces on Ganymede and Callisto which suggest that a period of heavy bombardment occurred in the outer solar system. The overall crater density on Ganymede indicates that the oldest regions began recording the observed crater population at a later time than Callisto. A diameter-dependent loss of craters from 10-40 km occurs on Ganymede and may be due to ice formation or the formation of arcuate troughs. Evidence is given which suggests that the population of bodies responsible for the period of late heavy bombardment in the inner solar system is very different from that responsible for the late heavy bombardment in the outer solar system. In addition, it is postulated that Ganymede and Callisto may principally record a population of bodies that never penetrated the inner solar system in numbers great enough to leave a recognizable signature.
Document ID
19820028832
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Strom, R. G.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Woronow, A.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Gurnis, M.
(Arizona, University Tucson, AZ, United States)
Date Acquired
August 10, 2013
Publication Date
September 30, 1981
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 86
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
82A12367
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-7146
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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