NSF/AFOSR Astronomy: Spectral and Polarimetric Imaging of Solar System Bodies

New Mexico State University, Las Cruces NM

Investigators

Abstract

High spatial and spectral resolution observations of solar system bodies will be performed to help better understand solar system and planet formation and evolution. Specific observations include haze in the lower atmosphere of Titan, Saturn's largest moon. Spatial and spectral variability of the haze will be observed. The observations will elucidate atmospheric scattering properties of a large, Earth-analog moon, yielding fundamental new information about the composition and evolution of these bodies. The observations will complement those obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope and Cassini spacecraft.