The First Year of Cassini RADAR Observations of Titan

Mathematics – Logic

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

5415 Erosion And Weathering, 5420 Impact Phenomena, Cratering (6022, 8136), 5464 Remote Sensing, 5480 Volcanism (6063, 8148, 8450), 6281 Titan

Scientific paper

Titan`s atmosphere is essentially transparent to Radar, making it an ideal technique to study Titan`s surface. Cassini`s Titan Radar Mapper operates as a passive radiometer, scatterometer, altimeter, and synthetic aperture radar (SAR). Here we review data from four fly-bys in the first year of Cassini`s tour (Ta: October 2004, T3: February 2005, T7: September 2005, and T8: October 2005.) Early SAR images from Ta and T3 (showing < 3% of Titan`s surface) reveal that Titan is geologically young and complex (see Elachi et al., 2005, Science 13, 970-4). Significant variations were seen between the range of features seen in the Ta swath (centered at ~50N, 80W) and T3 (~ 30N, 70W) : the large-scale radiometric properties also differed, with T3 being radar-brighter. A variety of features have been identified in SAR, including two large impact craters, cryovolcanic flows and a probable volcanic dome. Dendritic and braided radar-bright sinuous channels, some 180km long, are evidence of fluvial activity. `Cat scratches`, arrays of linear dark features seem most likely to be Aeolian. Radar provides unique topographic information on Titan`s landscape e.g. the depth of the 80km crater observed in T3 can be geometrically determined to be around 1300m deep. Despite the shallow large-scale slopes indicated in altimetry to date, many small hills are seen in T3. Scatterometry and radiometry maps provide large-scale classification of surface types and polarization and incidence angle coverage being assembled will constrain dielectric and scattering properties of the surface. Judging from the TA/T3 diversity, we expect further variations in the types and distribution of surface materials and geologic features in T7, which spans a wide range of Southern latitudes. T8 SAR will cover a near-equatorial dark region, including the landing site of the Huygens probe.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

The First Year of Cassini RADAR Observations of Titan does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The First Year of Cassini RADAR Observations of Titan, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The First Year of Cassini RADAR Observations of Titan will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-751450

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.