Our latest plot consists of two panels comparing an N-body simulation with a Cassini observation of Saturn’s rings. Small moons orbiting within the ring create wave and wall-like structures. The simulations show that these form due to moon-ring and ring-ring interactions (1/2)

This week we have a depositional model of Kodiak butte, an erosional remnant of an ancient delta in Jezero Crater, Mars observed from a distance by the Perseverance rover. Here we see a sequence of sedimentary facies typical of a ‘Gilbert-type’ (fluvial dominated) delta. (1/2)

This week, we have a schematic figure displaying the eruption dynamics of a fissure system on Mars. Over time, the fissure evolves through three stages of eruption to create the lava flows, ramparts, and outflow channel features observed in orbital imagery. (1/2)

This week, we have a figure showing the discovery of transient water frost around the summit of Olympus Mons, a volcano near Mars’s equator. The timing and location of the deposits are likely controlled by local thermophysical properties and diurnal temperature variations.

This week’s figure features three artist impressions of Jupiter from the early 18th (a) and late 19th centuries (b,c). The authors use historical observations to argue that the earlier spot was not the ‘Great Red Spot’ we see today and constrain the changing areas of storms (1/2)

This week, we have a plot demonstrating the spectral diversity of the rocks that the Perseverance rover has encountered in Jezero Crater. These spectra show variable iron mineralogy which indicates strong oxidative water-rock interactions in the Jezero delta deposits. (1/2)

This week, we have a figure showing evidence for variability in methane-ethane mixture of Titan’s lakes, and the presence of millimeter-sized waves called capillary waves. The authors suggest that these rivers are methane-rich and feed into more ethane-rich lakes. (1/2)

Volatile Transport on Ariel and Implications for the Origin and Distribution of Carbon Dioxide on Uranian Moons. buff.ly/3Anm1DF Study finds that carbon dioxide ice is transported toward Ariel's equator; both an active and ancient source of carbon dioxide is plausible.

🚨 New paper alert 🚨 Kris Laferriere of Purdue EAPS surveyed the troughs at Mars' north pole, mapping the entire 3D radar volume for subsurface records of troughs' past locations! The migration of these features informs us of ice mass balance over time. doi.org/10.1029/2023JE…

This week, we have a figure which compares a newly identified Martian spatter cone to an Earth-analog found at the 2021 Fagradalsfjall eruption in Iceland. The authors show that the size, shape, and surface texture are similar between these two explosive volcanic features. (1/2)

Our plot of the week shows spherules extracted from sediments in-between 65 million year old lava flows. Their texture and chemistry suggest they are micrometeorites. The authors propose that a period of elevated cosmic dust may have worsened the K-Pg extinction event (1/2).

WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE SIXTH FLAG IS THE CONFEDERATE FLAG

Purdue will not have any voting location on campus this November, even though the county asked the university to hold one. Purdue did not meet “statutory requirements,” said one staff member on the election board. purdueexponent.org/city_state/pol…

This week’s figure shows laboratory experimentation of different methane solutions, simulating Titan’s surface conditions. Higher methane content changes the crystalline structure of freezing icy solutions, and whether ice crystals sink or float in solution. (1/2)

Infants died at higher rates in the US following the Supreme Court decision that revoked the federal right to an abortion, new research finds cnn.it/4he5rXN

I am honored to be at #AGU24 this week to accept the Greeley Early Career Award in Planetary Sciences. I feel so fortunate to get to be on this career path and am grateful to everyone who has opened doors for me along the way. Thank you!

Most federal websites are still up, but in trying to figure out what's going on I found the FAA and Census homepages are down (but other pages on the websites are working) and the CDC page on HIV testing has been removed. Seems they're targeting select pages to remove content.

The U.S. Census Bureau has taken down American Community Survey microdata. Thankfully Nikhil Woodruff had a local copy, so we now store it on PolicyEngine servers.

Nothing to see here.