Publications
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Correlations between Cassini VIMS spectra and RADAR SAR images: Implications for Titan's surface composition and the character of the Huygens Probe Landing Site Correlations between Cassini VIMS spectra and RADAR SAR images: Implications for Titan's surface composition and the character of the Huygens Probe Landing Site
Titan's vast equatorial fields of RADAR-dark longitudinal dunes seen in Cassini RADAR synthetic aperture images correlate with one of two dark surface units discriminated as “brown” and “blue” in Visible and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) color composites of short-wavelength infrared spectral cubes (RGB as 2.0, 1.6, 1.3 μm). In such composites bluer materials exhibit higher...
Authors
Laurence A. Soderblom, Randolph L. Kirk, Jonathan I. Lunine, Jeffrey A. Anderson, Kevin H. Baines, Jason W. Barnes, Janet M. Barrett, Robert H. Brown, Bonnie J. Buratti, Roger N. Clark, Dale P. Cruikshank, Charles Elachi, Michael A. Janssen, Ralf Jaumann, Erich Karkoschka, Stéphane Le Mouélic, Rosaly Lopes, Ralph D. Lorenz, Thomas B. McCord, Philip D. Nicholson, Jani Radebaugh, Bashar Rizk, Christophe Sotin, Ellen R. Stofan, Tracie L. Sucharski, Martin G. Tomasko, Stephen D. Wall
Self-gravity wake structures in Saturn's a ring revealed by Cassini vims Self-gravity wake structures in Saturn's a ring revealed by Cassini vims
During the summer of 2005, the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer onboard the Cassini spacecraft observed a series of occultations of the star o Ceti (Mira) by Saturn's rings. These observations revealed pronounced variations in the optical depth of the A ring with longitude, which can be attributed to oriented structures in the rings known as self-gravity wakes. While the wakes...
Authors
M.M. Hedman, P. D. Nicholson, H. Salo, B.D. Wallis, B. J. Buratti, K. H. Baines, R. H. Brown, R. N. Clark
Saturn's dynamic D ring Saturn's dynamic D ring
The Cassini spacecraft has provided the first clear images of the D ring since the Voyager missions. These observations show that the structure of the D ring has undergone significant changes over the last 25 years. The brightest of the three ringlets seen in the Voyager images (named D72), has transformed from a narrow,
Authors
M.M. Hedman, J.A. Burns, M.R. Showalter, C.C. Porco, P. D. Nicholson, A.S. Bosh, M.S. Tiscareno, R. H. Brown, B. J. Buratti, K. H. Baines, R. Clark
Mineralogy and Morphology of Amphiboles Observed in Soils and Rocks in El Dorado Hills, California Mineralogy and Morphology of Amphiboles Observed in Soils and Rocks in El Dorado Hills, California
From the Executive Summary: At the request of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has conducted an independent study of amphiboles in rocks and soils in the El Dorado Hills, California, area. The purpose of this study is to investigate specific issues regarding the presence of 'naturally occurring asbestos' raised by an USEPA activity-based...
Authors
G.P. Meeker, H.A. Lowers, G.A. Swayze, B. S. Van Gosen, S. J. Sutley, I. K. Brownfield
The atmospheres of Saturn and Titan in the near-infrared: First results of Cassini/Vims The atmospheres of Saturn and Titan in the near-infrared: First results of Cassini/Vims
The wide spectral coverage and extensive spatial, temporal, and phase-angle mapping capabilities of the Visual Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) onboard the Cassini-Huygens Orbiter are producing fundamental new insights into the nature of the atmospheres of Saturn and Titan. For both bodies, VIMS maps over time and solar phase angles provide information for a multitude of atmospheric
Authors
K. H. Baines, T.W. Momary, B. J. Buratti, D. L. Matson, R.M. Nelson, P. Drossart, B. Sicardy, V. Formisano, G. Bellucci, A. Coradini, C. Griffith, R. H. Brown, J.-P. Bibring, Y. Langevin, F. Capaccioni, P. Cerroni, R. N. Clark, M. Combes, D. P. Cruikshank, R. Jaumann, T.B. McCordt, V. Mennella, P. D. Nicholson, Christophe Sotin
Observations in the Saturn system during approach and orbital insertion, with Cassini's visual and infrared mapping spectrometer (VIMS) Observations in the Saturn system during approach and orbital insertion, with Cassini's visual and infrared mapping spectrometer (VIMS)
The Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer observed Phoebe, Iapetus, Titan and Saturn's rings during Cassini's approach and orbital insertion. Phoebe's surface contains water ice, CO2, and ferrous iron. lapetus contains CO2 and organic materials. Titan's atmosphere shows methane fluorescence, and night-side atmospheric emission that may be CO2 and CH3D. As determined from cloud motions...
Authors
R. H. Brown, K. H. Baines, G. Bellucci, B. J. Buratti, F. Capaccioni, P. Cerroni, R. N. Clark, A. Coradini, D. P. Cruikshank, P. Drossart, V. Formisano, R. Jaumann, Y. Langevin, D. L. Matson, T. B. McCord, V. Mennella, R.M. Nelson, P. D. Nicholson, B. Sicardy, Christophe Sotin, N. Baugh, C.A. Griffith, G. B. Hansen, C. A. Hibbitts, T.W. Momary, M.R. Showalter
Photometric properties of Titan's surface from Cassini VIMS: Relevance to titan's hemispherical albedo dichotomy and surface stability Photometric properties of Titan's surface from Cassini VIMS: Relevance to titan's hemispherical albedo dichotomy and surface stability
The Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) instrument on the Cassini Saturn Orbiter returned spectral imaging data as the spacecraft undertook six close encounters with Titan beginning 7 July, 2004. Three of these flybys each produced overlapping coverage of two distinct regions of Titan's surface. Twenty-four points were selected on approximately opposite hemispheres to serve...
Authors
R.M. Nelson, R. H. Brown, B.W. Hapke, W. D. Smythe, L. Kamp, M.D. Boryta, F. Leader, K. H. Baines, G. Bellucci, J.-P. Bibring, B. J. Buratti, F. Capaccioni, P. Cerroni, R. N. Clark, M. Combes, A. Coradini, D. P. Cruikshank, P. Drossart, V. Formisano, R. Jaumann, Y. Langevin, D. L. Matson, T. B. McCord, V. Mennella, P. D. Nicholson, B. Sicardy, Christophe Sotin
Composition of Titan's surface from Cassini VIMS Composition of Titan's surface from Cassini VIMS
Titan's bulk density along with Solar System formation models indicates considerable water as well as silicates as its major constituents. This satellite's dense atmosphere of nitrogen with methane is unique. Deposits or even oceans of organic compounds have been suggested to exist on Titan's solid surface due to UV-induced photochemistry in the atmosphere. Thus, the composition of the...
Authors
T. B. McCord, G. B. Hansen, B. J. Buratti, R. N. Clark, D. P. Cruikshank, E. D’Aversa, C.A. Griffith, E.K.H. Baines, R. H. Brown, Ore Dalle, G. Filacchione, V. Formisano, C. A. Hibbitts, R. Jaumann, J. I. Lunine, R.M. Nelson, Christophe Sotin
Titan: Preliminary results on surface properties and photometry from VIMS observations of the early flybys Titan: Preliminary results on surface properties and photometry from VIMS observations of the early flybys
Cassini observations of the surface of Titan offer unprecedented views of its surface through atmospheric windows in the 1-5 ??m region. Images obtained in windows for which the haze opacity is low can be used to derive quantitative photometric parameters such as albedo and albedo distribution, and physical properties such as roughness and particle characteristics. Images from the early...
Authors
B. J. Buratti, Christophe Sotin, R. H. Brown, M.D. Hicks, R. N. Clark, J. A. Mosher, T. B. McCord, R. Jaumann, K. H. Baines, P. D. Nicholson, T. Momary, D.P. Simonelli, B. Sicardy
The use of synthetic jarosite as an analog for natural jarosite The use of synthetic jarosite as an analog for natural jarosite
The presence of jarosite in soil or mining waste is an indicator of acidic sulfate-rich conditions. Physical and chemical properties of synthetic jarosites are commonly used as analogs in laboratory studies to determine solubility and acid-generation of naturally occurring jarosites. In our work we have mineralogically and chemically characterized both natural and synthetic jarosites...
Authors
George A. Desborough, Kathleen S. Smith, Heather A. Lowers, Gregg A. Swayze, Jane M. Hammarstrom, Sharon F. Diehl, Rhonda L. Driscoll, Reinhard W. Leinz
Mineral mapping and applications of imaging spectroscopy Mineral mapping and applications of imaging spectroscopy
Spectroscopy is a tool that has been used for decades to identify, understand, and quantify solid, liquid, or gaseous materials, especially in the laboratory. In disciplines ranging from astronomy to chemistry, spectroscopic measurements are used to detect absorption and emission features due to specific chemical bonds, and detailed analyses are used to determine the abundance and...
Authors
R. N. Clark, J. Boardman, J. Mustard, F. Kruse, C. Ong, C. Pieters, G.A. Swayze
Evidence for a polar ethane cloud on Titan Evidence for a polar ethane cloud on Titan
Spectra from Cassini's Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer reveal the presence of a vast tropospheric cloud on Titan at latitudes 51?? to 68?? north and all longitudes observed (10?? to 190?? west). The derived characteristics indicate that this cloud is composed of ethane and forms as a result of stratospheric subsidence and the particularly cool conditions near the moon's north...
Authors
C.A. Griffith, P. Penteado, P. Rannou, R. Brown, V. Boudon, K. H. Baines, R. Clark, P. Drossart, B. Buratti, P. Nicholson, C.P. McKay, A. Coustenis, A. Negrao, R. Jaumann