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Voyager disk resolved photometry of the Saturnian satellites

Authors :
Buratti, B. J
Source :
Icarus. 59
Publication Year :
1984
Publisher :
United States: NASA Center for Aerospace Information (CASI), 1984.

Abstract

The scattering properties of the icy satellites of Saturn are studied. Scans of intensity along the photometric equator near opposition are analyzed, and disk-resolved measurements of intensity are fitted to simple photometric functions. Histograms of the albedo distribution across the satellite disks are constructed, and the geometric albedos are determined as a function of wavelength. It is found that, at low phase angles, Rhea and Dione closely follow lunar behavior with almost no limb darkening. Mimas, Tethys, and especially Enceladus show significant limb darkening at low phase angles, which suggest multiple scattering is important for their surfaces. No satellite's surface can be described by Lambert's law. The darker satellites are redder, and the darker areas of each satellite are redder. A longitudinal dark stripe which represents a 15 percent decrease in albedo is situated near the center of the trailing side of Tethys. Mimas and Enceladus both have remarkably flat spectral reflectances into the ultraviolet.

Subjects

Subjects :
Lunar And Planetary Exploration

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00191035
Volume :
59
Database :
NASA Technical Reports
Journal :
Icarus
Notes :
NAGW-193, , NSG-7156
Publication Type :
Report
Accession number :
edsnas.19840066644
Document Type :
Report
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/0019-1035(84)90109-X