Saturn's moon Titan observed using the polarimetric mode of SPHERE

Titan's atmosphere has a thick layer of haze which is reflecting the visible light from the Sun. Therefore, unlike in the near-infrared, we cannot see down to the surface and Titan looks like a featureless sphere of haze (left). However, the light scattered from the haze is highly polarised, like the blue sky of the Earth. The SPHERE instrument is equipped with sensitive polarimeters, which can measure how strongly the light is polarised (right). There is strong polarisation at the limb of Titan due to scattering by haze particles. This polarimetric technique will be used by SPHERE for a sensitive search for reflected, and therefore polarised, light from exoplanets.

Credit:

ESO/J.-L. Beuzit et al./SPHERE Consortium

About the Image

Id:eso1417h
Type:Collage
Release date:4 June 2014, 12:00
Related releases:eso1417
Size:859 x 421 px

About the Object

Name:Titan
Type:Solar System : Planet : Satellite
Category:Solar System

Image Formats

Large JPEG
203.5 KB
Screensize JPEG
173.6 KB

Colours & filters

BandTelescope
OpticalVery Large Telescope
SPHERE