Titan: High Angular Resolution Synergistic Groundbased Observations during the Cassini Era

这个项目的重点是土星卫星土卫六的大气层。PI将与一名博士研究员和一名研究生一起，使用配备自适应光学系统和积分场光谱仪的8至10米级望远镜对土卫六进行地面观测。这些观测结果将与卡西尼号宇宙飞船的现场数据相结合，目的是跟踪甲烷云和雾的分布。对数据的解释将通过该小组的辐射传输模型进行，该模型将通过增加新的关于甲烷转变的实验室数据和对甲烷吸收和气溶胶散射处理的新修正而得到改进。这些计算将产生三维云/雾霾分布，最终将揭示土卫六大气中的环流模式。该项目将训练一名或多名学生掌握包括自适应光学在内的现代观测技术，并协助这些技术在工程水平上的发展。公众将通过发布显示自适应光学的好处的图像来参与，并突出土卫六和地球大气之间的异同。

This project focuses on the atmosphere of Saturn's moon Titan. The PI, along with a supported Ph.D. researcher and a graduate student, will conduct ground-based observations of Titan using 8 to 10 meter class telescopes equipped with adaptive optics systems and integral field spectrographs. These observations will be combined with in situ data from the Cassini spacecraft, with the goal of tracking the distribution of methane clouds and hazes. The interpretation of the data will be made via this group's radiative transfer model, which will be improved by the addition of new laboratory data on methane transitions and new corrections to the treatment of methane absorption and aerosol scattering. These calculations will yield the 3-dimensional cloud/haze distribution, which will eventually reveal the circulation patterns in Titan's atmosphere. This project will train one or more students in modern observational techniques involving adaptive optics, as well as assist in the development of these techniques at the engineering level. The public will be engaged through the release of images showing the benefit of adaptive optics and highlighting the similarities and differences between the atmospheres of Titan and Earth.