The scientists have discovered mysterious straight bright stripes on Saturn's moon Dione. According to the research by Planetary Science Institute Associate Research Scientist Alex Patthoff, the origins of these linear virgae (virgae meaning a stripe or streak of color) are most likely caused by the draping of surface materials like material from Saturn’s rings, passing comets, or co-orbital moons Helene and Polydeuces.
"The evidence preserved in the linear virgae has implications for the orbital evolution and impact processes within the Saturnian system," Patthoff said. "Plus, the interaction of Dione’s surface and exogenic material has implications for its habitability and provides evidence for the delivery of ingredients that may contribute the habitably of ocean worlds in general."
Patthoff and Emily S Martin from the National Air and Space Museum, studied images from NASA's Cassini spacecraft, which also revealed similar features on Saturn's moon Rhea.
Dione's linear virgae are generally long (10 to 100s of kilometers), narrow (less than 5 kilometers) and brighter than the surrounding terrains, researchers said.
The stripes are parallel, appear to overlie other features and are unaffected by topography, suggesting they are among the youngest surfaces on Dione.
"Their orientation, parallel to the equator, and linearity are unlike anything else we have seen in the solar system," Patthoff said.
"If they are caused by an exogenic source, that could be another means to bring new material to Dione. That material could have implications for the biological potential of Dione's subsurface ocean," Patthoff said.
Patthoff’s research was funded by a grant from NASA’s Cassini Data Analysis Program.
