Global mapping of Titan in the infrared using a heuristic approach to reduce the atmospheric scattering component

摘要

Titan is the largest satellite of Saturn, and the only one to have a dense atmosphere. Whereas its surface cannot be seen at visible wavelengths due to the strong absorption and scattering of the atmospheric gases (mainly N2 and CH4) and aerosols, it can be seen at specific wavelengths in the infrared. We focus in this paper on the global mapping of Titan geological units using the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer onboard Cassini, and discuss the problem of the decorrelation between atmospheric and surface components.