Radius and limb darkening of Titan from speckle imaging.
Abstract
The radius R of Titan is determined from ground-based, visible light observations using a two-dimensional speckle imaging technique. The value of R is found to depend on the limb-darkening exponent alpha, which is used in modeling the observed disk, and it is determined that the probable range extends from R values of 2680 + or - 100 km for alpha of 0.6 to 2900 + or - 100 km for alpha of 1.3. This range is in agreement with Voyager 1 and Pioneer Saturn observations. It is suggested that spatial resolution may be doubled by using a grid of 256 x 256 pixels at the time the image is digitized, and that further improvements are possible with speckle-reduction techniques under development.
- Publication:
-
The Astronomical Journal
- Pub Date:
- November 1981
- DOI:
- 10.1086/113053
- Bibcode:
- 1981AJ.....86.1690N
- Keywords:
-
- Astronomical Photography;
- Image Enhancement;
- Limb Darkening;
- Radii;
- Speckle Patterns;
- Titan;
- Algorithms;
- Atmospheric Attenuation;
- Cameras;
- Isophotes;
- Video Equipment;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration;
- Diameter:Titan;
- Limb Darkening:Titan;
- Speckle Interferometry:Titan