Titan's Clouds from Gemini and Keck Adaptive Optics Imaging

TLDR: In this paper, the authors used adaptive optics on the Gemini and Keck II telescopes to find a thin haze and discrete clouds in Titan's south polar troposphere, and they suggested that convection within this haze layer triggers methane condensation; subsequent latent heat release leads to vigorous convection and formation of transient clouds.

Abstract: Using adaptive optics on the Gemini and Keck II telescopes, we found a thin haze and discrete clouds in Titan’s south polar troposphere. The discrete clouds vary on timescales of a few hours. We propose a seasonal mechanism to explain the formation of this spring polar tropospheric haze. Assuming that the clouds are located in or above the haze, we suggest that convection within this haze layer triggers methane condensation; subsequent latent heat release leads to vigorous convection and formation of transient clouds. Our results have significant implications for planning the Cassini mission flybys of Titan. Subject headings: infrared: solar system — instrumentation: adaptive optics — planets and satellites: individual (Titan)