= = we propose to record the near-infrared spectrum of titan in the 3-micron region with sws (aot sws06). the flux in this region is of the order of 0.3 jy, quite low to be easily observable from the ground and overlapped by very strong telluric absorption. the near-infrared spectrum of titan has also recently proven to be very rich in information about the lower atmosphere (troposphere) and the surface of the satellite, hidden in the visible by a thick cloud deck. methane atmospheric windows in this spectral region allow sounding of the deepest levels of titan.s atmosphere and its surface. these windows, centered near 0.83, 0.94, 1.075, 1.28, 1.6, 2.0 and 4.9 micron, have been somewhat explored from the earth.s largest telescopes with great success, in spite of the difficulty involved with atmospheric influence and low flux. a new window was recently discovered near 3 micron, where the flux is about 0.3 jy. we propose to investigate this window in particular, by using the sws grating mode in the 1b band from 2.6 to 3.02 micron, at the two maximum elongations of titan, in order to enhance our knowledge of the satellite.s lower atmosphere and surface.
Instrument
SWS06
Temporal Coverage
1997-06-19T08:41:14Z/1997-06-19T16:19:20Z
Version
1.0
Mission Description
The Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) was the world's first true orbiting infrared observatory. Equipped with four highly-sophisticated and versatile scientific instruments, it was launched by Ariane in November 1995 and provided astronomers world-wide with a facility of unprecedented sensitivity and capabilities for a detailed exploration of the Universe at infrared wavelengths.
