Channels and Fan-Like Features on Titan Surface Imaged by the Cassini Radar

摘要

During two close flybys of Titan on October 26, 2004, and February 15, 2005, the Cassinis radar instrument acquired synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) data revealing Titans complex surface and intriguing geological features. Fan-like and apparently flow-related features are connected to sinuous and linear features which resemble channels. The fanlike features and channels appear to be relatively SARbright and suggest surface roughness properties at the scale and bigger than the Ku-band, and possible volume scattering. A strong correlation between the SARbright and radiometric cold regions has been observed. The correlation is consistent with radiometric cold areas being caused by volume scattering at Ku as due to broken low-loss ice and resulting low emissivity as with the surfaces of Europa and Ganymede.