VIMS/Cassini mission at Titan: Scientific objectives and observational scenariosThe scientific objectives and observational scenarios of the Cassini/Visual Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) Mission at Titan are addressed. The VIMS represents a powerful and effective means to both investigate, in four dimensions (latitude, longitude, altitude, and time), Titan's atmospheric structure and to map the near infrared spectral character of Titan's surface. Its broad spectral coverage from 0.35 to 5.1 micrometers together with its significant spectral resolution allows it to determine minor constituent distributions and cloud optical/microphysical properties from the surface to several hundred km. A promising means of obtaining high vertical resolution stratospheric profiles of hydrocarbons, oxides, and hazes via stellar occultation observations is discussed.
Document ID
19920023133
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Baines, Kevin H. (Jet Propulsion Lab. California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena., United States)
Brown, R. H. (Jet Propulsion Lab. California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena., United States)
Matson, Dennis L. (Jet Propulsion Lab. California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena., United States)
Nelson, R. M. (Jet Propulsion Lab. California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena., United States)
Buratti, B. J. (Jet Propulsion Lab. California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena., United States)