EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Tomasko 1980
Tomasko, M.G. (1980). Preliminary Results of Polarimetry and Photometry of Titan at Large Phase Angles From Pioneer 11. Journal of Geophysical Research 85: doi: 10.1029/JA080i011p05937. issn: 0148-0227.

The imaging photopolarimeter (IPP) aboard the Pioneer 11 spacecraft measured the linear polarization of the integrated disk of Titan in red and blue light at a variety of phase angles from 15¿ to 97¿. The large polarization (54%) measured in blue light at 90¿ phase constrains the size of the aerolsols near the top of Titan's atmosphere to have radii smaller than about 0.09 &mgr;m if they have a refractive index of 2.0. The polarization at 90¿ phase in red light is smaller (41%) and implies that the optical thickness of the layer of small aerosols is about 0.6 above an effectively depolarizing surface. The shape of the polarization versus phase curve in blue light suggests increasing particle size with increasing depth into the atmosphere. The limb darkening of Titan was measured at 28¿ phase by using the imaging mode of the IPP. The limb darkening observed in both colors is reasonably consistent with that given by the scattering models derived from the polarization observations.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit