Titan: Cassini VIMS Reports Surface Reflectance Changes: Implications for Atmospheric and Volcanic Activity

Details Titan: Cassini VIMS Reports Surface Reflectance Changes: Implications for Atmospheric and Volcanic Activity Titan: Cassini VIMS Reports Surface Reflectance Changes: Implications for Atmospheric and Volcanic Activity

Sep 2006

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006dps....38.5209n&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #38, #52.09; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 38, p.580

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Scientific paper

Significant regional changes in the near-infrared reflectance of a 2800 km2 area on Titan occurred between July 2004 and early 2006. Cassini VIMS finds that the 2 μm reflectivity increased by a factor of two between July 2004 and March-April 2005; it then decreased to the July 2004 reflectance by November 2005. By late December 2005 the reflectance had surged again, slightly exceeding its earlier maximum. It then decreased in reflectance in the three following months through mid-March 2006. The character is inconsistent with tropospheric clouds of the type observed at Titan's South pole and high mid-latitudes. Application of a comprehensive radiative transfer model finds that it is unlikely to be caused by a ground fog and most likely occurred at Titan's surface. This is the first direct evidence of short-term surface change on Titan. Inspection of the spectral differences between the spot and its surrounding terrain rules out changes in the distribution of the ices of H2O, CO2, and CH4 as the cause. Interpretations include changing surface deposits due to abrupt tectonic or volcanic activity. This is the first evidence for currently active tectonic processes such as volcanism on Titan.
This work done at JPL/CALTECH under contract with NASA

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