Near-infrared Observations of Saturn's Satellites at True Opposition

ORAL

Abstract

The 2005 opposition of Saturn presented the rare opportunity to observe its satellites at the smallest possible phase angles attainable at Saturn's heliocentric distance. Here we present the analysis of observations obtained at Pic du Midi Observatory using Moicam, an infrared imaging instrument mounted on the 2-m Telescope Bernard Lyot during the period 10 - 17 January 2005 at phase angles ranging from $\alpha $ = 0.37$^{^{\circ}}$ to 0.01. Using broadband near-infrared filters JHK, centered at 1.2, 1.6, and 2.2 $\mu $m, respectively, we observed the opposition effect on Enceladus, Tethys, Dione, and Rhea. In addition, observations using the narrowband Paschen beta filter, centered at 1.28 $\mu $m, reveal the opposition effect on Titan and Iapetus.

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Authors

  • MIchael Freed

    Northern Arizona University

  • Anne Verbiscer

    University of Virginia

  • Seth Putterman

    Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA, Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA, College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, Colorado State University, University of Virginia, Auburn University, Northern Kentucky University, Utah Valley State College, Brigham Young University, Arizona State University, University of Amsterdam, New Mexico State university, University of Minesota, Pulse Field Facility, NHMFL, LANL, NM, Institute of Physics ASCR , Czech Republic, University of Minesota-Twin City, New Mexico State University, Director, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Lab, Australian Synchotron Source, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Lab, University of Arizona, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Wellesley College, Observatoire de Paris, France, Freie Universitat Berlin, Florida State Univ., Univ. Sci. Tech. China, Iowa State University, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Mahabad Azad University, Carnegie Mellon University, Tempe Preparatory Academy, University of California, Los Angeles

  • Seth Putterman

    Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA, Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA, College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, Colorado State University, University of Virginia, Auburn University, Northern Kentucky University, Utah Valley State College, Brigham Young University, Arizona State University, University of Amsterdam, New Mexico State university, University of Minesota, Pulse Field Facility, NHMFL, LANL, NM, Institute of Physics ASCR , Czech Republic, University of Minesota-Twin City, New Mexico State University, Director, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Lab, Australian Synchotron Source, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Lab, University of Arizona, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Wellesley College, Observatoire de Paris, France, Freie Universitat Berlin, Florida State Univ., Univ. Sci. Tech. China, Iowa State University, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Mahabad Azad University, Carnegie Mellon University, Tempe Preparatory Academy, University of California, Los Angeles

  • Seth Putterman

    Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA, Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA, College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, Colorado State University, University of Virginia, Auburn University, Northern Kentucky University, Utah Valley State College, Brigham Young University, Arizona State University, University of Amsterdam, New Mexico State university, University of Minesota, Pulse Field Facility, NHMFL, LANL, NM, Institute of Physics ASCR , Czech Republic, University of Minesota-Twin City, New Mexico State University, Director, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Lab, Australian Synchotron Source, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Lab, University of Arizona, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Wellesley College, Observatoire de Paris, France, Freie Universitat Berlin, Florida State Univ., Univ. Sci. Tech. China, Iowa State University, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Mahabad Azad University, Carnegie Mellon University, Tempe Preparatory Academy, University of California, Los Angeles