Physics 202: Introduction to Astronomy – Lecture 12

Carsten Denker

Physics DepartmentCenter for Solar–Terrestrial

Research

March 8, 2006 Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research

Cassini-Huygens Juli 2004 Orbiter Huygens probe will land

on Titan 4 gravity assist

maneuvers 7-year voyage 4-year mission 70 orbits Magnetosphere,

composition, and atmosphere

A Closer Look at Saturn Rings

Ice Rocks

31 moons Titan

Low density (lighter than water)

Fast rotation Dense atmosphere Pastel-colored clouds Strong zonal flows Rocky core

surrounded by metallic hydrogen

March 8, 2006 Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research

Cassini-Huygens Sapcecraft

March 8, 2006 Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research

Gravity Assist Maneuvers

March 8, 2006 Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research

Cassini’s Saturn Orbit

March 8, 2006 Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research

Saturn’s Moons

March 8, 2006 Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research

C-Ring and Cassini Division

March 8, 2006 Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research

Saturn’s Atmosphere

March 8, 2006 Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research

Ring Temperatures

False-color image

Composite infrared spectrometer

Red: 110 Kelvin Green: 90 Kelvin Blue: 70 Kelvin

March 8, 2006 Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research

Radiation Belt

March 8, 2006 Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research

Titan’s Surface

March 8, 2006 Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research

Titan’s Atmosphere