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Title:
The Surface of Titan: Arecibo Radar Observations
Authors:
Campbell, Donald B.; Black, Gregory J.; Carter, Lynn; Ostro, Steven J.
Affiliation:
AA(Cornell University), AB(University of Virginia), AC(Cornell University), AD(Jet Propulsion Laboratories)
Publication:
Recent Progress in Planetary Exploration, 25th meeting of the IAU, Special Session 1, 17-18 July, 2003 in Sydney, Australia, meeting abstract
Publication Date:
00/2003
Origin:
IAU
Bibliographic Code:
2003IAUSS...1E..12C

Abstract

The Arecibo 12.6 cm radar system was used to obtain echo spectra for Titan in 2001 and 2002. Arecibo and/or the 100 m Green Bank Telescope were used to receive the echo. Most of the echo power is contained in a broad diffuse component. However many of the spectra show a weak specular echo corresponding to reflections from a very smooth low dielectric constant surface at the sub-earth location. The normalized radar backscatter cross section as a function of sub-earth longitude correlates very strongly with the 2 micron albedoes including the large near-IR feature centered near 90 deg longitude. These cross sections and the circular polarization ratios are very different from those of the icy Galilean satellites but similar to those for the trailing hemisphere of Iapetus. The echo power and Doppler widths of the specular components are consistent with reflections from bodies of liquid hydrocarbons and provide the best evidence to date for their presence on Titan.
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