Surface of Ligeia Mare, Titan, from Cassini altimeter and radiometer analysis

Overview & Synopsis

Cassini radar observations of the surface of Ligeia Mare collected during the 23 May 2013 (T91) Cassini fly-by show that it is extremely smooth, likely to be mostly methane in composition, and exhibits no surface wave activity. The radar parameters were tuned for nadir-looking geometry of liquid surfaces, using experience from Cassini's only comparable observation, of Ontario Lacus on 21 December 2008 (T49), and also include coincident radiometric observations. Radar echoes from both passes show very strong specular radar reflections, and limit surface height variations to 1 mm rms. The surface physical temperature at 80° N is 92 +/- 0.5 K if the sea is liquid hydrocarbon and the land is solid hydrocarbon, essentially the same as Cassini CIRS measurements. Furthermore, radiometry measurements over the surrounding terrain suggest dielectric constants from 2.2-2.4, arguing against significant surface water ice unless it is extremely porous.