Mithrim Montes

Mithrim Montes

Despeckled SAR view by Cassini; the tallest peak is near the center of the lower (southern) ridge
Feature type Mountain range
Coordinates 2°S 127°W / 2°S 127°W / -2; -127Coordinates: 2°S 127°W / 2°S 127°W / -2; -127
Diameter 147 km
Eponym Mithrim Mountains

The Mithrim Montes are a range of mountains on Titan, the largest moon of the planet Saturn. The range is located near Titan's equator, between 1-3° south and 126-8° west [1] and consists of three parallel ridges that are oriented east-west, spaced about 25 km apart.[2] They are located within the region Xanadu.[3] The highest peak is about 3,337 m (10,948 ft) high and is located on the southernmost of the ridges; it is the highest known peak on Titan.[2]

The Mithrim Montes are named after the Mithrim Mountains, a range in J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional world of Middle-earth.[1] This follows a convention that Titanean mountains are named after mountains in Tolkien's work.[4] The name was formally announced on November 13, 2012.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 International Astronomical Union. "Mithrim Montes". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Accessed Nov 14, 2012.
  2. 1 2 "PIA20023: Radar View of Titan's Tallest Mountains". photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov. Jet Propulsion Laboratory. 2016-03-24. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
  3. ↑ United States Geological Survey. "Titan with VIMS background and RADAR strips". Accessed 14 Nov, 2012.
  4. ↑ International Astronomical Union. "Categories for Naming Features on Planets and Satellites". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Accessed Nov 14, 2012.
  5. ↑ Jennifer Blue, "Eight New Names for Titan Surface Features". USGS Astrologeology Science Center. Nov 13, 2012.

See also


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