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Photometric changes on Saturn's Titan: Evidence for active cryovolcanism
Author(s) -
Nelson Robert M.,
Kamp Lucas W.,
Lopes Rosaly M. C.,
Matson Dennis L.,
Kirk Randolph L.,
Hapke Bruce W.,
Wall Stephen D.,
Boryta Mark D.,
Leader Frank E.,
Smythe William D.,
Mitchell Karl L.,
Baines Kevin H.,
Jaumann Ralf,
Sotin Christophe,
Clark Roger N.,
Cruikshank Dale P.,
Drossart Pierre,
Lunine Jonathan I.,
Combes Michel,
Bellucci Giancarlo,
Bibring JeanPierre,
Capaccioni Fabrizio,
Cerroni Pricilla,
Coradini Angioletta,
Formisano Vittorio,
Filacchione Gianrico,
Langevin Yves,
McCord Thomas B.,
Mennella Vito,
Nicholson Phillip D.,
Sicardy Bruno,
Irwin Patrick G. J.,
Pearl John C.
Publication year - 2009
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 - 10.1029/2008gl036206
Subject(s) - titan (rocket family) , orbiter , astrobiology , infrared , geology , remote sensing , astronomy , physics , environmental science
We report infrared spectrophotometric variability on the surface of Saturn's moon Titan detected in images returned by the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) onboard the Cassini Saturn Orbiter. The changes were observed at 7°S, 138°W and occurred between October 27, 2005 and January 15, 2006. After that date the surface was unchanged until the most recent observation, March 18, 2006. We previously reported spectrophotometric variability at another location (26°S, 78°W). Cassini Synthetic Aperture RADAR (SAR) images find that the surface morphology at both locations is consistent with surface flows possibly resulting from cryovolcanic activity (Wall et al., companion paper, this issue). The VIMS‐reported time variability and SAR morphology results suggest that Titan currently exhibits intermittent surface changes consistent with present ongoing surface processes. We suggest that these processes involve material from Titan's interior being extruded or effused and deposited on the surface, as might be expected from cryovolcanism.