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CASSINI (CIRS)

Cassini-Huygens Launch 10.15.1997

The largest scientific effort in the Planetary Systems Laboratory is the Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS), an instrument on the Cassini spacecraft, now orbiting Saturn. CIRS observes infrared spectra of Saturn, and its satellites and rings. The CIRS scientific team studies the temperature structure, dynamics and composition of the atmosphere of Saturn and Titan. The team also studies the thermal structure of Saturn's rings, and the nature of and warm structures on icy satellites such as Enceladus. CIRS is sensitive to wavelengths from 7 to 1000 micrometers, using several different detectors. The full CIRS scientific team is international in scope, with Co-Investigators located in the U.S., England, France, Germany and Italy.

Michael Flasar (Principal Investigator)

Thermal map of the south pole of Enceladus obtained by CIRS in March 2008.

Saturn's north pole, showing an unexpected hot spot at the north pole. The pervasive polar hexagon feature is also present.

Jupiter composition from Cassini CIRS, using the following color channels:
R = H2 continuum (troposphere temp 150-400 mbar)
G = CH4 nu4 band (stratospheric temp 1-10 mbar)
B = C2H2 nu5 band (acetylene emission, note auroral enhancement)

• http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/spacecraft/instruments-cassini-cirs.cfm
• http://cirs.gsfc.nasa.gov

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