Cassini/VIMS observes rough surfaces on Titan’s Punga Mare in specular reflection - Université Paris Cité Access content directly
Journal Articles Planetary Science Year : 2014

Cassini/VIMS observes rough surfaces on Titan’s Punga Mare in specular reflection

Jason Barnes
  • Function : Author
  • PersonId : 1106318
Jason Soderblom
Robert Brown
Alexander Hayes
Mark Donelan
  • Function : Author
Kevin Baines
Thomas Mccord
  • Function : Author

Abstract

Cassini/VIMS high-phase specular observations of Titan's north pole during the T85 flyby show evidence for isolated patches of rough liquid surface within the boundaries of the sea Punga Mare. The roughness shows typical slopes of 6°± 1°. These rough areas could be either wet mudflats or a wavy sea. Because of their large areal extent, patchy geographic distribution, and uniform appearance at low phase, we prefer a waves interpretation. Applying theoretical wave calculations based on Titan conditions our slope determination allows us to infer winds of 0.76 ± 0.09 m/s and significant wave heights of 2 +2 −1 cm at the time and locations of the observation. If correct, these would represent the first waves seen on Titan's seas, and also the first extraterrestrial sea-surface waves in general.
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Dates and versions

hal-03657827 , version 1 (03-05-2022)

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Jason Barnes, Christophe Sotin, Jason Soderblom, Robert Brown, Alexander Hayes, et al.. Cassini/VIMS observes rough surfaces on Titan’s Punga Mare in specular reflection. Planetary Science, 2014, 3 (1), pp.3. ⟨10.1186/s13535-014-0003-4⟩. ⟨hal-03657827⟩
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