Backscatter modelling and inversion from Cassini/SAR data: Implications for Titan’s sand seas properties and climatic conditions

Antoine Lucas 1 Sebastien Rodriguez 1 Florentin Lemonnier 1 Philippe Paillou 2 Alice Le Gall 3 Clement Narteau 4
1 AIM (UMR_7158 / UMR_E_9005 / UM_112) - Astrophysique Interprétation Modélisation
2 ASP 2015
L3AB - Laboratoire d'astrodynamique, d'astrophysique et d'aéronomie de bordeaux, OASU - Observatoire aquitain des sciences de l'univers, LAB - Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Bordeaux [Pessac], UB - Université de Bordeaux
3 IMPEC - LATMOS
LATMOS - Laboratoire Atmosphères, Milieux, Observations Spatiales
4 IPGP - Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris
Abstract : Sand seas on Titan may reflect the present and past climatic conditions. Understanding the morphodynamics and physicochemical properties of Titan’s dunes is therefore essential for a better comprehension of the climatic and geological history of the largest Saturn’s moon. We derived quantitatively surface properties (texture, composition) from the modelling of microwave backscattered signal and Monte Carlo inversion of despeckled Cassini/SAR data over the equatorial sand seas. We show that dunes and inter-dunes have significantly different physical properties. Absorption is more efficient in the dunes compared to the inter-dunes. The inter-dunes are smoother with an higher dielectric constant than the dunes. Considering the composition, the inter-dunes are in between the dunes and the bright inselbergs, suggesting the presence of a shallow layer of sediment in between the dunes. Additionally potential secondary bedforms may have been detected. Implications for dune morphodynamics, sediment inventory and climatic conditions occurring on Titan will be discussed.
Document type :
Poster communications
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https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-01249169
Contributor : Catherine Cardon <>
Submitted on : Wednesday, December 30, 2015 - 2:18:46 PM
Last modification on : Friday, January 10, 2020 - 3:42:29 PM

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  • HAL Id : insu-01249169, version 1

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Antoine Lucas, Sebastien Rodriguez, Florentin Lemonnier, Philippe Paillou, Alice Le Gall, et al.. Backscatter modelling and inversion from Cassini/SAR data: Implications for Titan’s sand seas properties and climatic conditions. AGU Fall Meeting 2015, Dec 2015, San Francisco, United States. pp.P13B-2130. ⟨insu-01249169⟩

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