Titan Flyby (T12) -- Mar. 18, 2006
This processed image from Cassini's Aug. 22, 2005, flyby of Titan reveals mid-latitudes on the moon's Saturn-facing side.
Cassini to Study Titan's Atmosphere
The Cassini spacecraft will study the hazy atmosphere of Saturn's moon Titan from the inside out during a flyby on March 18.
Cassini will transmit radio waves to Earth as it flies behind Titan. The radio waves will pass through Titan's atmosphere, revealing characteristics about the atmosphere's temperature, structure and winds. Cassini has never done this before, though NASA's Voyager 1 did a similar experiment in 1980.
During this flyby, Cassini also will bounce radio waves off the surface of Titan for receipt on Earth. The reflectiveness at different wavelengths will provide information about the surface roughness and composition.
Titan Flyby at a Glance
Date
Mar. 18, 2006
Distance
1,219 miles (1,951 km)
Speed
13,400 mph (6.0 km/sec)
