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Saturn’s B ring is the most opaque ring in our Solar System, but many of its fundamental parameters, including its total mass, are not well constrained. Spiral density waves generated by mean-motion resonances with Saturn’s moons provide some of the best constraints on the rings’ mass density, but detecting and quantifying such waves in the B ring has been challenging because of this ring’s high opacity and abundant fine-scale structure. Using a wavelet-based analyses of 17 occultations of the star γ Crucis observed by the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) onboard the Cassini spacecraft, we are able to examine five density waves in the B ring. Two of these waves are generated by the Janus 2:1 and Mimas 5:2 Inner Lindblad Resonances at 96,427 km and 101,311 km from Saturn’s center, respectively. Both of these waves can be detected in individual occultation profiles, but the multi-profile wavelet analysis reveals unexpected variations in the pattern speed of the Janus 2:1 wave that might arise from the periodic changes in Janus’ orbit. The other three wave signatures are associated with the Janus 3:2, Enceladus 3:1 and Pandora 3:2 Inner Lindblad Resonances at 115,959 km, 115,207 km and 108,546 km. These waves are not visible in individual profiles, but structures with the correct pattern speeds can be detected in appropriately phase-corrected average wavelets. Estimates of the ring’s surface mass density derived from these five waves fall between 40 and 140 g/cm 2 , even though the ring’s optical depth in these regions ranges from ∼1.5 to almost 5. This suggests that the total mass of the B ring is most likely between one-third and two-thirds the mass of Saturn’s moon Mimas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Saturn’s main rings exhibit variations in both their opacity and their spectral properties on a broad range of spatial scales, and the correlations between these parameters can provide insights into the processes that shape the composition and dynamics of the rings. The Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) instrument onboard the Cassini Spacecraft has obtained spectra of the rings between 0.35 and 5.2μm with sufficient spatial resolution to discern variations on scales below 200km. These relatively high-resolution spectral data reveal that both the depths of the near-infrared water–ice absorption bands and the visible spectral slopes are often correlated with structural parameters such as the rings’ optical depth. Using a simplified model for the ring-particles’ regolith properties, we have begun to disentangle the trends due to changes in the gross composition of the ring particles from those that may be due to shifts in the texture of the ring particles’ regolith. Consistent with previous studies, this analysis finds that the C ring and the Cassini Division possess enhanced concentrations of a contaminant that absorbs light over a broad range of wavelengths. On the other hand, a second contaminant that preferentially absorbs at short visible and near-ultraviolet wavelengths is found to be more evenly distributed throughout the rings. The optical activity of this short-wavelength absorber increases inwards of 100,000km from Saturn center, which may provide clues to the origin of this contaminant. The spectral variations identified as shifts in the regolith texture are in some places clearly correlated with the ring’s optical depth, and in other locations they appear to be associated with the disturbances generated by strong mean-motion resonances with Saturn’s various moons. These variations therefore seem to be controlled by the ring particles’ dynamical environment, and may even provide a new avenue for constraining the structure and mass density of Saturn’s most opaque ring regions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Stellar occultations by Saturn’s rings observed with the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) onboard the Cassini spacecraft reveal that dusty features such as the F ring and the ringlets in the Encke and the Laplace Gaps have distinctive infrared transmission spectra. These spectra show a narrow optical depth minimum at wavelengths around 2.87μm. This minimum is likely due to the Christiansen Effect, a reduction in the extinction of small particles when their (complex) refractive index is close to that of the surrounding medium. Simple Mie-scattering models demonstrate that the strength of this opacity dip is sensitive to the size distribution of particles between 1 and 100μm across. Furthermore, the spatial resolution of the occultation data is sufficient to reveal variations in the transmission spectra within and among these rings. In both the Encke Gap ringlets and F ring, the opacity dip weakens with increasing local optical depth, which is consistent with the larger particles being concentrated near the cores of these rings. The Encke Gap ringlets also show systematically weaker opacity dips than the F ring and Laplace Gap ringlet, implying that the former has a smaller fraction of grains less than ∼30μm across. However, the strength of the opacity dip varies most dramatically within the F ring; certain compact regions of enhanced optical depth lack an opacity dip and therefore appear to have a greatly reduced fraction of grains in the few-micron size range. Such spectrally-identifiable structures probably represent a subset of the compact optically-thick clumps observed by other Cassini instruments. These variations in the ring’s particle size distribution can provide new insights into the processes of grain aggregation, disruption and transport within dusty rings. For example, the unusual spectral properties of the F-ring clumps could perhaps be ascribed to small grains adhering onto the surface of larger particles in regions of anomalously low velocity dispersion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An increasing body of evidence shows that, at the sub-km level, Saturn’s main A and B rings are dominated by an ever-changing pattern of elongated, canted structures known as self-gravity wakes. Best known for causing azimuthal variations in the rings’ reflectivity, these structures also have a profound influence on how the transmission of the rings varies with both longitude and opening angle, B (Colwell et al. [2006] Geophys. Res. Lett. 33, 7201; Colwell et al. [2007] Icarus 190, 127–144; Hedman et al. [2007] Astron. J. 133, 2624–2629). We use data from three stellar occultations observed by Cassini’s Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) to measure the transmission of the rings as a function of B, when viewed parallel to the wakes. These data are used to constrain properties of the self-gravity wakes as a function of radius across the A and B rings: specifically the fractional width of the gaps between the wakes, , and the average normal optical depth in the gaps, . We find that the overall normal optical depth of the rings, is primarily controlled by , which varies between <0.05 and ∼0.70 in the A and B rings. The gaps, however, are not completely empty, being filled by material — possibly cm-sized ring particles — with an average normal optical depth which varies from 0.12 to ∼0.4. In addition to regional variations, local variations in are seen in the regular structure which dominates the inner B ring, and in the environs of strong density waves in the A ring. The same model applied to the lower optical depth Cassini Division reveals very little evidence of self-gravity wakes, except where exceeds ∼0.25. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights • We present an analysis of the complete Visual Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) data archive of Titan acquired by the Cassini mission. • We have computed a collection of multispectral summary products which are made available online at vims.univ-nantes.fr. • We describe empirical correction steps to produce seamless global mosaics of Titan in several wavelengths. • A global map of band ratios reveals the main spectral heterogeneities of Titan's surface. Abstract We have analyzed the complete Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) data archive of Titan. Our objective is to build global surface cartographic products, by combining all the data gathered during the 127 targeted flybys of Titan into synthetic global maps interpolated on a grid at 32 pixels per degree (∼1.4 km/pixel at the equator), in seven infrared spectral atmospheric windows. Multispectral summary images have been computed for each single VIMS cube in order to rapidly identify their scientific content and assess their quality. These summary images are made available to the community on a public website (vims.univ-nantes.fr). The global mapping work faced several challenges due to the strong absorbing and scattering effects of the atmosphere coupled to the changing observing conditions linked to the orbital tour of the Cassini mission. We determined a surface photometric function which accounts for variations in incidence, emergence and phase angles, and which is able to mitigate brightness variations linked to the viewing geometry of the flybys. The atmospheric contribution has been reduced using the subtraction of the methane absorption band wings, considered as proxies for atmospheric haze scattering. We present a new global three color composite map of band ratios (red: 1.59/1.27 µm; green: 2.03/1.27 µm; blue: 1.27/1.08 µm), which has also been empirically corrected from an airmass (the solar photon path length through the atmosphere) dependence. This map provides a detailed global color view of Titan's surface partially corrected from the atmosphere and gives a global insight of the spectral variability, with the equatorial dunes fields appearing in brownish tones, and several occurrences of bluish tones localized in areas such as Sinlap, Menvra and Selk craters. This kind of spectral map can serve as a basis for further regional studies and comparisons with radiative transfer outputs, such as surface albedos, and other additional data sets acquired by the Cassini Radar (RADAR) and Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS) instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the last few years Cassini–VIMS, the Visible and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer, returned to us a comprehensive view of the Saturn’s icy satellites and rings. After having analyzed the satellites’ spectral properties (Filacchione, G., Capaccioni, F., McCord, T.B., Coradini, A., Cerroni, P., Bellucci, G., Tosi, F., D’Aversa, E., Formisano, V., Brown, R.H., Baines, K.H., Bibring, J.P., Buratti, B.J., Clark, R.N., Combes, M., Cruikshank, D.P., Drossart, P., Jaumann, R., Langevin, Y., Matson, D.L., Mennella, V., Nelson, R.M., Nicholson, P.D., Sicardy, B., Sotin, C., Hansen, G., Hibbitts, K., Showalter, M., Newman, S. [2007]. Icarus 186, 259–290, paper I) and their distribution across the satellites’ hemispheres (Filacchione, G., Capaccioni, F., Clark, R.N., Cuzzi, J.N., Cruikshank, D.P., Coradini, A., Cerroni, P., Nicholson, P.D., McCord, T.B., Brown, R.H., Buratti, B.J., Tosi, F., Nelson, R.M., Jaumann, R., Stephan, K. [2010]. Icarus 206, 507–523, paper II), we proceed in this paper to investigate the radial variability of icy satellites (principal and minor) and main rings average spectral properties. This analysis is done by using 2264 disk-integrated observations of the satellites and a 12×700 pixels-wide rings radial mosaic acquired with a spatial resolution of about 125km/pixel. Using different VIS and IR spectral indicators, e.g. spectral slopes and band depths, we perform a comparative analysis of these data aimed to measure the distribution of water ice and red contaminant materials across Saturn’s system. The average surface regolith grain sizes are estimated with different indicators through comparison with laboratory and synthetic spectra. These measurements highlight very striking differences in the population here analyzed, which vary from the almost uncontaminated and water ice-rich surfaces of Enceladus and Calypso to the metal/organic-rich and red surfaces of Iapetus’ leading hemisphere and Phoebe. Rings spectra appear more red than the icy satellites in the visible range but show more intense 1.5–2.0μm band depths. Although their orbits are close to the F-ring, Prometheus and Pandora are different in surface composition: Prometheus in fact appears very water ice-rich but at the same time very red at VIS wavelengths. These properties make it very similar to A–B ring particles while Pandora is bluer. Moving outwards, we see the effects of E ring particles, generated by Enceladus plumes, which contaminate satellites surfaces from Mimas out to Rhea. We found some differences between Tethys lagrangian moons, Calypso being much more water ice-rich and bluer than Telesto. Among outer satellites (Hyperion, Iapetus and Phoebe) we observe a linear trend in both water ice decrease and in reddening, Hyperion being the reddest object of the population. The correlations among spectral slopes, band depths, visual albedo and phase permit us to cluster the saturnian population in different spectral classes which are detected not only among the principal satellites and rings but among co-orbital minor moons as well. These bodies are effectively the “connection” elements, both in term of composition and evolution, between the principal satellites and main rings. Finally, we have applied Hapke’s theory to retrieve the best spectral fits to Saturn’s inner regular satellites (from Mimas to Dione) using the same methodology applied previously for Rhea data discussed in Ciarniello et al. (Ciarniello, M., Capaccioni, F., Filacchione, G., Clark, R.N., Cruikshank, D.P., Cerroni, P., Coradini, A., Brown, R.H., Buratti, B.J., Tosi, F., Stephan, K. [2011]. Icarus 214, 541–555). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ontario Lacus is the largest lake of the whole southern hemisphere of Titan, Saturn’s major moon. It has been imaged twice by each of the Cassini imaging systems (Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS) in 2004 and 2005, Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) in 2007 and 2009 and RADAR in 2009 and 2010). We compile a geomorphological map and derive a “hydrogeological” interpretation of Ontario Lacus, based on a joint analysis of ISS, VIMS and RADAR SAR datasets, along with the T49 altimetric profile acquired in December 2008. The morphologies observed on Ontario Lacus are compared to landforms of a semi-arid terrestrial analog, which resembles Titan’s lakes: the Etosha Pan, located in the Owambo Basin (Namibia). The Etosha Pan is a flat-floored depression formed by dissolution, under semi-arid conditions, of a surface evaporitic layer (calcretes) controlled by groundwater vertical motions. We infer that Ontario Lacus is an extremely flat and shallow depression lying in an alluvial plain surrounded by small mountain ranges under climatic conditions similar to those of terrestrial semi-arid regions. Channels are seen in the southern part of Ontario Lacus in VIMS and RADAR data, acquired at a 2-years time interval. Their constancy in location with time implies that the southern portion of the depression is probably not fully covered by a liquid layer at the time of the observations, and that they most probably run on the floor of the depression. A shallow layer of surface liquids, corresponding to the darkest portions of the RADAR images, would thus cover about 53% of the surface area of the depression, of which almost 70% is located in its northern part. These liquid-covered parts of the depression, where liquid ethane was previously identified, are interpreted as topographic lows where the “alkanofer” raises above the depression floor. The rest of the depression, and mostly its southern part, is interpreted as a flat and smooth exposed floor, likely composed of a thick and liquid-saturated coating of photon-absorbing materials in the infrared. This hypothesis could explain its dark appearance both in the infrared and radar data and the persistence of channels seen on the depression floor over the time. Shorelines are observed on the border of Ontario Lacus suggesting past high-stand levels of the alkanofer table. The analogy with the Etosha Pan suggests that Ontario Lacus’ depression developed at the expense of a soluble layer covering the region. Dissolution of this layer would be controlled by vertical motions of the alkanofer table over the time. During flooding events, liquid hydrocarbons covering the depression floor would dissolve the surface layer, increasing progressively the diameter of the depression on geological timescales. During drought episodes, liquid hydrocarbons of the underground alkanofer would evaporate, leading to crystallization of “evaporites” in the pores and at the surface of the substratum, and to the formation of the regional soluble layer. The presence of specific landforms (lunette dunes or evaporites) is compatible with such evaporitic regional settings. Alternatively, but not exclusively, the surface soluble layer might have formed by accumulation on the ground of soluble compounds formed in the atmosphere. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The nominal tour of the Cassini mission enabled the first spectra and solar phase curves of the small inner satellites of Saturn. We present spectra from the Visual Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) and the Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS) that span the 0.25–5.1μm spectral range. The composition of Atlas, Pandora, Janus, Epimetheus, Calypso, and Telesto is primarily water ice, with a small amount (∼5%) of contaminant, which most likely consists of hydrocarbons. The optical properties of the “shepherd” satellites and the coorbitals are tied to the A-ring, while those of the Tethys Lagrangians are tied to the E-ring of Saturn. The color of the satellites becomes progressively bluer with distance from Saturn, presumably from the increased influence of the E-ring; Telesto is as blue as Enceladus. Janus and Epimetheus have very similar spectra, although the latter appears to have a thicker coating of ring material. For at least four of the satellites, we find evidence for the spectral line at 0.68μm that Vilas et al. [Vilas, F., Larsen, S.M., Stockstill, K.R., Gaffley, M.J., 1996. Icarus 124, 262–267] attributed to hydrated iron minerals on Iapetus and Hyperion. However, it is difficult to produce a spectral mixing model that includes this component. We find no evidence for CO2 on any of the small satellites. There was a sufficient excursion in solar phase angle to create solar phase curves for Janus and Telesto. They bear a close similarity to the solar phase curves of the medium-sized inner icy satellites. Preliminary spectral modeling suggests that the contaminant on these bodies is not the same as the exogenously placed low-albedo material on Iapetus, but is rather a native material. The lack of CO2 on the small inner satellites also suggests that their low-albedo material is distinct from that on Iapetus, Phoebe, and Hyperion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper reports on the analysis of the highest spatial resolution hyperspectral images acquired by the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) onboard the Cassini spacecraft during its prime mission. A bright area matches a flow-like feature coming out of a caldera-like feature observed in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data recorded by the Cassini radar experiment [Lopes et al., 2007. Cryovolcanic features on Titan''s surface as revealed by the Cassini Titan Radar Mapper. Icarus 186, 395–412, doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2006.09.006]. In this SAR image, the flow extends about 160km east of the caldera. The contrast in brightness between the flow and the surroundings progressively vanishes, suggesting alteration or evolution of the composition of the cryolava during the lifetime of the eruptions. Dunes seem to cover part of this flow on its eastern end. We analyze the different terrains using the Spectral Mixing Analysis (SMA) approach of the Multiple-Endmember Linear Unmixing Model (MELSUM, Combe et al., 2008). The study area can be fully modeled by using only two types of terrains. Then, the VIMS spectra are compared with laboratory spectra of known materials in the relevant atmospheric windows (from 1 to 2.78μm). We considered simple molecules that could be produced during cryovolcanic events, including H2O, CO2 (using two different grain sizes), CH4 and NH3. We find that the mean spectrum of the cryoflow-like feature is not consistent with pure water ice. It can be best fitted by linear combinations of spectra of the candidate materials, showing that its composition is compatible with a mixture of H2O, CH4 and CO2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]