Thermal phase curves observed in Saturn's main rings by Cassini-CIRS: Detection of an opposition effect?

Details Thermal phase curves observed in Saturn's main rings by Cassini-CIRS: Detection of an opposition effect? Thermal phase curves observed in Saturn's main rings by Cassini-CIRS: Detection of an opposition effect?

May 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009georl..3610105a&link_type=abstract

Geophysical Research Letters, Volume 36, Issue 10, CiteID L10105

Physics

4

Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects: Planetary Rings, Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects: Saturn, Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Remote Sensing

Scientific paper

We report on thermal phase curve measurements of Saturn's main rings by the CIRS infrared spectrometer on-board the CASSINI spacecraft. The extensive data set acquired by Cassini since its insertion in orbit around Saturn provides for the first time spatially resolved temperature measurements over broad phase angle ranges and for different solar elevations. Each of these curves exhibit a nonlinear variation in temperature with phase angle, with pronounced surges at medium to low phase angles that we interpret as an opposition effect in thermal infrared. The transition from a relatively flat linear regime to an exponential behavior in the A and B rings occurs at phase angles of 30° to 40° and is significantly broader in the C ring and Cassini Division. Analytical description of the phase curves is provided to serve as basis for future modeling work. The role played by mutual shadowing as possible origin of the broad thermal surge in thicker ring regions is emphasized. In turn, regolith properties might be inferred from the thermal phase curves in the optically thin ring regions.

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