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Titan aerosols - Optical properties and vertical distributionAn analysis of Titan's solar phase variation as a function of wavelength together with the continuum geometric albedo makes it possible to set limits on the real part of the refractive index and on the average particle size of the aerosol component of Titan's atmosphere of between about 1.5 and 2.0 and between 0.20 microns and about 0.35 microns, respectively. If the real part of the refractive index is known the average particle size can be determined to within a few percent, and varies inversely with the real part of the refractive index. Using this information in a two-layer model of a methane-aerosol atmosphere and comparing the result with Titan's visible and near-infrared methane spectrum leads to the conclusion that the top layer of Titan's atmosphere contains 0.01 km atm of methane and 2.5 extinction optical depths of aerosol, while the data are consistent with a bottom layer containing 2.2 km atm of methane and about 7.5 aerosol optical depths for a real part of the refractive index equal to 1.7 and an average particle size of 0.25 microns.
Document ID
19800037589
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Rages, K.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Pollack, J. B.
(NASA Ames Research Center Space Science Div., Moffett Field, Calif., United States)
Date Acquired
August 10, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1980
Publication Information
Publication: Icarus
Volume: 41
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
80A21759
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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