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Microwave dielectric constant of Titan‐relevant materials
Author(s) -
Paillou Philippe,
Lunine Jonathan,
Ruffié Gilles,
Encrenaz Pierre,
Wall Stephen,
Lorenz Ralph,
Janssen Michael
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2008gl035216
Subject(s) - titan (rocket family) , radar , microwave , dielectric , scatterometer , impact crater , remote sensing , permittivity , geology , dissipation factor , ku band , radiometer , materials science , environmental science , astrobiology , optics , physics , aerospace engineering , optoelectronics , quantum mechanics , engineering
For four years, the Cassini Radar instrument has slowly revealed the surface of Titan. It has discovered cryovolcanic flows, craters, dunes, channels, rivers, lakes and seas. In order to analyze and model the microwave behaviour of Titan's surface, we need to know the dielectric constant of its surface materials. We present here Ku‐band (10 and 13 GHz) measurements of the dielectric constant of various materials that are likely to be present on Titan. Most of the measured values are in the 1.5–4.3 range with a very low loss tangent (less than 10 −2 ), consistent with results obtained from the Radar scatterometer and radiometer modes, indicating that the Cassini Ku‐band Radar should penetrate several meters of Titan's surface.