Titan from Cassini-Huygens

Robert Brown, of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory of the University of Arizona, Tucson, USA, is the Team Leader for Cassini's Visible and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS). Dr. Brown is  Professor of Planetary Sciences. His research interests center on observational, theoretical, and laboratory studies of planetary surfaces and surface processes. Of particular interest in his research are Titan and the rest of Saturn's icy moons.Jean-Pierre Lebreton is the ESA Project Scientist and Mission Manager for the Huygens mission. His particular speciality is planetary science, studying plasma physics.Dr. Lebreton is also in the ESA team working on the Rosetta mission and, in particular, he is involved with the Plasma Consortium Experiment. He led the divisional activities on the Tethered Satellite System.Jack Hunter Waite is a planetary scientist specializing in the application of mass spectrometry to the study of solar system biogeochemistry and aeronomy. He is involved in research projects in ion/neutral mass spectrometry, gas chromatography, biogeochemistry, thermospheric modeling, and planetary astronomy. Dr. Waite is the Team Leader for the Cassini Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrometer investigation, co-investigator and lead SwRI hardware manager for the Rosetta/Rosina Reflectron Time-of-Flight, principal investigator for the development of a Jupiter Thermosphere-Ionosphere General Circulation Model, a co-investigator in planetary observing programs with Hubble Space Telescope (HST), Chandra, and the Canada France Hawaii Telescope and leads a major effort for the development of analytical techniques for use in the study of planetary biogeochemistry funded by NASA JPL and the NASA ASTID programs.

• Overview.- Earth-Based Perspective and Pre-Cassini–Huygens Knowledge of Titan.- The Origin and Evolution of Titan.- Titan's Interior Structure.- Geology and Surface Processes on Titan.- Composition of Titan's Surface.- Volatile Origin and Cycles: Nitrogen and Methane.- High-Altitude Production of Titan's Aerosols.- Titan's Astrobiology.- Atmospheric Structure and Composition.- Composition and Structure of the Ionosphere and Thermosphere.- Aerosols in Titan's Atmosphere.- Atmospheric Dynamics and Meteorology.- Seasonal Change on Titan.- Mass Loss Processes in Titan's Upper Atmosphere.- Energy Deposition Processes in Titan's Upper Atmosphere and Its Induced Magnetosphere.- Titan in the Cassini—Huygens Extended Mission.- Titan Beyond Cassini—Huygens.- Mapping Products of Titan's Surface.

From the reviews: "The chapters, written by experts in the field, progress from an overview of what was known about Titan prior to this space mission to an in-depth look at Titan's formation ... . Each chapter is well illustrated, and the use of color photos is a significant asset. ... the overall book is compelling and comprehensive. This very detailed compendium will likely become a primary source for Titan and a must have for any planetary scientist professional. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above." (R. A. Kolvoord, Choice, Vol. 47 (10), June, 2010) "This book could be used in a variety of ways as the overview at the beginning of the book describes the main results for Titan ... . has an excellent flow and is written in 'plain' English with many colour illustrations ... . should be on the shelf of any Titan enthusiast who is looking for a book that brings together the majority of knowledge about Titan to date." (Lucy Norman, Astrobiology Society of Britain, February, 2010)