Hostname: page-component-5c6d5d7d68-thh2z Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-08-18T11:05:57.219Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The Surface and Lower Atmosphere of Titan from HST Observations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 March 2016

Peter H. Smith
Affiliation:
University of Arizona, Lunar & Planetary Laboratory, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
M. Lemmon
Affiliation:
University of Arizona, Lunar & Planetary Laboratory, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
M. Tomasko
Affiliation:
University of Arizona, Lunar & Planetary Laboratory, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

In 1994 the HST camera acquired images of Titan during 14 visits throughout a 16—day rotation period. These images were mosaicked to produce surface maps of albedo variations at several wavelengths (0.67, 0.94, and 1.04 microns) which revealed a bright, continent-sized feature on Titan’s leading face (Smith, Lemmon, & Lorenz 1996). Also, the observing program was designed as a search for clouds and their motions; no clouds were conclusively identified. Other observing sessions in subsequent years performed by our group and others have resulted in numerous observations through WFPC2, STIS, and NICMOS. Additional maps have now been made in the 2—micron region that show a very similar surface albedo to the 0.94—micron map (T. Owen, private communication). Models based on these data sets are used to understand the lower atmosphere and surface as seen through the overlying hazes; seasonal variations resulting in a north-south asymmetry of the haze layer are also being studied.

Type
II. Joint Discussions
Copyright
Copyright © Astronomical Society of Pacific 2002

References

Smith, P.H., Lemmon, M.T., & Lorenz, R.D. 1996, Icarus, 119, 336 Google Scholar