Planetary science: A 5-micron-bright spot on Titan: Evidence for surface diversity

Jason W. Barnes, Robert H. Brown, Elizabeth P. Turtle, Alfred S. McEwen, Ralph D. Lorenz, Michael Janssen, Emily L. Schaller, Michael E. Brown, Bonnie J. Buratti, Christophe Sotin, Caitlin Griffith, Roger Clark, Jason Perry, Stephanie Fussner, John Barbara, Richard West, Charles Elachi, Antonin H. Bouchez, Henry G. Roe, Kevin H. BainesGiancarlo Bellucci, Jean Pierre Bibring, Fabrizio Capaccioni, Priscilla Cerroni, Michel Combes, Angioletta Coradini, Dale P. Cruikshank, Pierre Drossart, Vittorio Formisano, Ralf Jaumann, Yves Langevin, Dennis L. Matson, Thomas B. McCord, Phillip D. Nicholson, Bruno Sicardy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

71 Scopus citations

Abstract

Observations from the Cassini Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer show an anomalously bright spot on Titan located at 80°W and 20°S. This area is bright in reflected tight at all observed wavelengths, but is most noticeable at 5 microns. The spot is associated with a surface albedo feature identified in images taken by the Cassini Imaging Science Subsystem. We discuss various hypotheses about the source of the spot, reaching the conclusion that the spot is probably due to variation in surface composition, perhaps associated with recent geophysical phenomena.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)92-95
Number of pages4
JournalScience
Volume310
Issue number5745
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 7 2005

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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