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Originally published in Science Express on 2 October 2003
Science 17 October 2003:
Vol. 302. no. 5644, pp. 431 - 434
DOI: 10.1126/science.1088969
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Reports

Radar Evidence for Liquid Surfaces on Titan

Donald B. Campbell,1* Gregory J. Black,2 Lynn M. Carter,3 Steven J. Ostro4

Arecibo radar observations of Titan at 13-centimeter wavelength indicate that most of the echo power is in a diffusely scattered component but that a small specular component is present for about 75% of the subearth locations observed. These specular echoes have properties consistent with those expected for areas of liquid hydrocarbons. Knowledge of the areal extent and depth of any deposits of liquid hydrocarbons could strongly constrain the history of Titan's atmosphere and surface.

1 National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center and Department of Astronomy, Space Sciences Building, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
2 Department of Astronomy, University of Virginia, Post Office Box 3818, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA.
3 Department of Astronomy, Space Sciences Building, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
4 300-233 Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109–8099, USA.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: campbell{at}astro.cornell.edu

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THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
A 5-Micron-Bright Spot on Titan: Evidence for Surface Diversity.
J. W. Barnes, R. H. Brown, E. P. Turtle, A. S. McEwen, R. D. Lorenz, M. Janssen, E. L. Schaller, M. E. Brown, B. J. Buratti, C. Sotin, et al. (2005)
Science 310, 92-95
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Cassini Radar Views the Surface of Titan.
C. Elachi, S. Wall, M. Allison, Y. Anderson, R. Boehmer, P. Callahan, P. Encrenaz, E. Flamini, G. Franceschetti, Y. Gim, et al. (2005)
Science 308, 970-974
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »


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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)