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AGU: Journal of Geophysical Research, Space Physics

 
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Abstract

JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, VOL. 85, NO. A11, PP. 5943-5947, 1980
doi:10.1029/JA085iA11p05943

The Radius of Titan from Pioneer Saturn Data

Peter H. Smith

Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721

The radius of Titan has been determined from Pioneer Saturn observations taken September 2, 1979. The data sets, one in the red (0.64 µm) and one in the blue (0.44 µm), yield radii of 2840 ± 25 km and 2880 ± 22 km, respectively. The discrepancy between the radius values in the two colors is felt to be the consequence of an optically thin submicron haze above the nominal haze layer. The altitude difference between the red and blue limb is 40 ± 20 km. Using a cloud model derived from the Pioneer Saturn data, the lunar occultation radius (Elliot et al., 1975) has been revised to 2845 ± 40 km, in good agreement with the present result. A lower limit of 1.37 g cm−3 can now be set on Titan’s bulk density, using the red radius at the haze top. The actual bulk density probably falls in the range 1.65-1.85 g cm−3 for an atmosphere of 150- to 250-km thickness below the red limb.

Received 13 May 1980; accepted 13 June 1980; .

Citation: Smith, P. H. (1980), The Radius of Titan from Pioneer Saturn Data, J. Geophys. Res., 85(A11), 5943–5947, doi:10.1029/JA085iA11p05943.

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