Using high-resolution Cassini ISS images with wavelengths ranging from the ultraviolet to the near infrared, we have retrieved Saturn's atmospheric aerosol structure and properties for a broad range of latitudes in the southern hemisphere. The observations are consistent with two distinct layers of haze. Each layer is characterized by a vertical location, an optical depth, and a mean particle size, all of which vary with latitude. The tropospheric haze is optically thickest and extends to the greatest heights (~40 mbar) over the equator; its top surface is at significantly greater depths (~150 mbar ) at mid-latitudes. The height of the haze correlates well with position of the tropopause as indicated by the temperature field. Beneath this haze, we find a scattered denser cloud responsible for small-scale contrasts at an average depth of 1.75 ± 0.4 bar, with some features deeper than 2.5 bar.iii
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHMichael Roman transferred into Cornell University in 2004 as a junior in the field of Atmospheric Sciences, after having studied at a small community college. As an undergraduate, he became involved in research as a student research assistant, organizing and processing image data from the Galileo mission. The project combined two of his of long-lived interest-meteorology and astronomy-and encouraged him to pursue further research experience.