HUYGENS PROBEHUYGENS PROBEExploration of SaturnExploration of Saturn’’s Largest s Largest MoonMoon““SATURNI LUNASATURNI LUNA””Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, was discovered by Christaan Huygens on March 25, 1655. Inspired by Galileo’s discovery of Jupiter’s moons and his own telescope engineering, Huygens discovered the body he called “Saturni Luna” due primarily to the quality of his observation tools. Between1673 and 1686 He also four more Saturnian moons. The name “Titan” was given to this moon in 1847.FUN TITAN FACTSFUN TITAN FACTSTitan is named for the Titans, the Titan is named for the Titans, the brothers and sisters of brothers and sisters of CronosCronos..Titan is the second largest satellite in Titan is the second largest satellite in the Solar Systemthe Solar SystemTitan is LARGER than the planet Titan is LARGER than the planet Mercury!Mercury!Titan is the only moon in the Solar Titan is the only moon in the Solar System with a thick, planetSystem with a thick, planet--like like atmosphere.atmosphere.TITANTITAN’’S VITAL S VITAL STATISTICSSTATISTICSDistance from Saturn: 1,221,870 kmDistance from Saturn: 1,221,870 kmDiameter:Diameter:––Atmosphere: 5550 kmAtmosphere: 5550 km––Surface: 5150 kmSurface: 5150 kmMass: 1.35 x 10Mass: 1.35 x 102323kgkgSurface temperature: 94KSurface temperature: 94KSurface pressure: 1.6 barsSurface pressure: 1.6 barsOrbital period: 15.95 daysOrbital period: 15.95 daysOriginal images of Titan showed only a hazy orange ball. The surface of the moon could not been seen beyond the dense atmosphere. Voyager images of Titan did reveal some structure. Using UV enhancement a purple haze can be seen at the edge of the atmosphereTO EXPLORE TITAN!TO EXPLORE TITAN!In order to penetrate the haze and In order to penetrate the haze and understand Titan, a closer look was understand Titan, a closer look was necessary:necessary:The Cassini orbiter examines Titan as The Cassini orbiter examines Titan as part of its mission to explore the part of its mission to explore the Saturn SystemSaturn SystemAs part of the mission, a As part of the mission, a landerlanderwas was released into Titanreleased into Titan’’s atmosphere to s atmosphere to get get ““ground truthground truth””HUYGENS: A TransHUYGENS: A Trans--Atlantic Creation Atlantic Creation Huygens was built by the ESA. The primary investigators for the instruments represent 5 different countries, including the United States.The Huygens craft was made up of two pieces: the Huygens Lander and the Probe Support Equipment (PSE).The 318 kg landerseperated from the Cassini spacecraft and entered Titan’s atmosphereThe 30 kg PSE remained on the orbiter to relay information back to EarthTHE SCIENCE GOALSTHE SCIENCE GOALSPerform detailed measurements of the Perform detailed measurements of the Titan atmosphere including:Titan atmosphere including:––Physical propertiesPhysical properties––CompositionComposition––DynamicsDynamicsCharacterize the Titan surfaceCharacterize the Titan surfaceTHE INSTRUMENTSTHE INSTRUMENTSAerosol Collector and Aerosol Collector and PyrolyserPyrolyser(ACP)(ACP)Descent Imager and Spectral Descent Imager and Spectral Radiometer (DISR)Radiometer (DISR)Doppler Wind Experiment (DWE)Doppler Wind Experiment (DWE)Gas Chromatograph and Mass Gas Chromatograph and Mass Spectrometer (GCMS)Spectrometer (GCMS)Huygens Atmospheric Structure Huygens Atmospheric Structure Instrument (HASI)Instrument (HASI)Surface Science Package (SSP)Surface Science Package (SSP)ARRIVAL AT TITANARRIVAL AT TITANThe Cassini-Huygens craft finally reached Titan on January 14, 2005. After an almost 7 year journey, the probe began its descent through the Titan atmosphere. The probe reached the surface from an altitude of 1270 km in about 2 hours and 28 minutes. While it fell, instruments measured the properties of the atmosphere and images were taken of the surface.THE DESCENTTHE DESCENTIn order to land safely, the probe needed to decelerate from an entry speed of 6 km/sec! This was done in phases. In the three minutes, the probe slowed to ~ 400 m/sec. Parachutes then slowed it to ~ 80 m/sec. At an altitude of 120 km a final parachute finished the descent.Huygens entered Titan’s atmosphere like a meteor. Scorching temperatures are produced by the friction of atmospheric entry. In order to withstand the heat of and to protect the craft during its flight, the probe was fitted with two heatshields. The foil shield will burn off during entry. The tiles can withstand much higher temperatures and will protect the lander’sinstruments.MOVIE OF THE LANDINGMOVIE OF THE LANDINGhttp://http://www.lpl.arizona.edu/DISR/Multimwww.lpl.arizona.edu/DISR/Multimedia/Titan_Movies.htmedia/Titan_Movies.htmTHE LANDING SITETHE LANDING SITEDISCOVERIES!DISCOVERIES!ARE THESE BE ARE THESE BE RIVERBEDS?RIVERBEDS?WINDS ON TITANWINDS ON TITANhttp://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Cassinihttp://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Cassini--Huygens/SEM85Q71Y3E_0.htmlHuygens/SEM85Q71Y3E_0.htmlATMOSPHERIC ATMOSPHERIC
View Full Document
Unlocking...