Open AccessBistatic observations of Titan's surface with the Huygens probe radio signal
Author(s) -
PérezAyúcar M.,
Lorenz R. D.,
Floury N.,
PrietoCerdeira R.,
Lebreton J.P.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: planets
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2005je002613
Subject(s) - titan (rocket family) , bistatic radar , radio signal , physics , geology , signal (programming language) , geophysics , remote sensing , astrobiology , radio frequency , radar , computer science , radar imaging , telecommunications , programming language
Huygens provided an unanticipated bistatic radio scattering experiment from Titan's surface. After a successful entry and descent on Titan, on 14 January 2005, the probe remarkably survived the landing and continued radioing from the surface to the overflying Cassini, until the orbiter set below Titan's local horizon. Here we report high‐quality measurements of the 2098 MHz (14.3 cm) postlanding radio signal, focusing on the striking variations observed in signal strength. The mechanism that creates this fading pattern is physically interpreted as multipath interference between the direct signal and the signal reflected on Titan's surface. The geophysical aspects that could bear on the signal analysis are described.