Dunes on Titan observed by Cassini Radar

Thousands of longitudinal dunes have recently been discovered by the Titan Radar Mapper on the surface of Titan. These are found mainly within ±30° of the equator in optically-, near-infrared-, and radar-dark regions, indicating a strong proportion of organics, and cover well over 5% of Titan's surface. Their longitudinal duneform, interactions with topography, and correlation with other aeolian forms indicate a single, dominant wind direction aligned with the dune axis plus lesser, off-axis or seasonally alternating winds. Global compilations of dune orientations reveal the mean wind direction is dominantly eastwards, with regional and local variations where winds are diverted around topographically high features, such as mountain blocks or broad landforms. Global winds may carry sediments from high latitude regions to equatorial regions, where relatively drier conditions prevail, and the particles are reworked into dunes, perhaps on timescales of thousands to tens of thousands of years. On Titan, adequate sediment supply, sufficient wind, and the absence of sediment carriage and trapping by fluids are the dominant factors in the presence of dunes.     

Sundman surfaces and Hill stability in the three-body problem

Using the famous Sundman inequality, we have constructed for the first time the surfaces for the general three-body problem that we suggest calling Sundman surfaces. These surfaces are a generalization of the widely known Hill surfaces in the restricted circular three-body problem. The Sundman surfaces are constructed in a rectangular coordinate system that uses the mutual distances between the bodies as the Cartesian rectangular coordinates. The singular points of the family of these surfaces have been determined. The possible and impossible regions of motion of the bodies have been constructed in the space of mutual distances. We have shown the existence of Hill stable motions and established sufficient criteria for Hill stability of motions. Some of the astronomical applications are considered.     

Titan's surface from Cassini RADAR SAR and high resolution radiometry data of the first five flybys

The first five Titan flybys with Cassini's Synthetic Aperture RADAR (SAR) and radiometer are examined with emphasis on the calibration and interpretation of the high-resolution radiometry data acquired during the SAR mode (SAR-radiometry). Maps of the 2-cm wavelength brightness temperature are obtained coincident with the SAR swath imaging, with spatial resolution approaching 6 km. A preliminary calibration shows that brightness temperature in these maps varies from 64 to 89 K. Surface features and physical properties derived from the SAR-radiometry maps and SAR imaging are strongly correlated; in general, we find that surface features with high radar reflectivity are associated with radiometrically cold regions, while surface features with low radar reflectivity correlate with radiometrically warm regions. We examined scatterplots of the normalized radar cross-section σ⁰ versus brightness temperature, finding differing signatures that characterize various terrains and surface features. Implications for the physical and compositional properties of these features are discussed. The results indicate that volume scattering is important in many areas of Titan's surface, particularly Xanadu, while other areas exhibit complex brightness temperature variations consistent with variable slopes or surface material and compositional properties.     

Zero-velocity surfaces in the three-dimensional ring problem of N + 1 bodies

The zero-velocity surfaces in the three-dimensional ring problem of N+1 bodies and their parametric evolution is the subject of this paper. These surfaces, which are also known as Hill's or Jacobian surfaces, provide us with valuable information concerning the regions of the permissible particle motion and the existence of equilibrium positions.     

Formation of mountains on Io: Variable volcanism and thermal stresses

Thermal stresses are potentially important drivers of Io's tectonics and mountain building. It has been hypothesized that sustained local or regional shut down of heat-pipe volcanism on Io could lead to deep crustal heating and large compressive stresses [McKinnon, W.B., Schenk, P.M., Dombard, A.J., 2001. Geology 29, 103-106]. Such large stresses would then be relieved by thrust faulting and uplifting of crustal blocks, producing mountains like those observed on Io. Here we analyze the tectonic consequences of the heat-pipe model in detail, considering both the initial thermal stress state of a basalt or peridotite crust created by heat-pipe volcanism, and relative roles of subsidence stresses (due to burial of preexisting layers) and thermal stresses arising from variable volcanism and changes in crustal (∼lithosphere) thickness. We limit the magnitude of the potential subsidence stresses in our study, because the magnitude of subsidence stresses can be quite large, if not dominant. Results indicate that for a fixed crustal thickness, the region of failure and faulting moves closer to the surface as eruption rate decreases and time increases. When the crust melts at its base as volcanism decreases (as might occur under steady state tidal heating), resulting in crustal thinning, the region of failure is brought even closer to the surface. Naturally, when compressive, subsidence stresses are included, the vertical extent of crust in brittle failure thickens to include most of the lithosphere. In contrast, increases in eruption rate cause the extent of the region in compressional failure to decrease and be driven very deep in the crust (in the absence of sufficient subsidence stress). Therefore, regions of declining volcanism are more likely to produce mountains, whereas regions of extensive or increasing volcanism are less likely to do so. This is consistent with the observation of a global anticorrelation between mountains and volcanic centers on Io. Finally, we find that the choice of crustal composition/rheology (dry basalt vs. dry peridotite) has little effect on our results implying that basalt, peridotite and komatiite are all similarly “stiff” in the Io environment.     

Small-scale topography of 25143 Itokawa from the Hayabusa laser altimeter

The surface topography of Asteroid 25143 Itokawa is explored using the LIght Detection And Ranging instrument (LIDAR). The data confirm the presence of a rough highland and a smooth lowland. The highland is dominated by boulders, but also possesses topography associated with surface lineaments and broad surface facets. The boulders ensure that the roughness of the highlands over short distances is typically greater relative to most surfaces on 433 Eros. Over larger distances, Itokawa is always smoother than Eros possibly because of its smaller size and weak rubble-pile structure. The lowlands of Itokawa are very smooth, and are typically devoid of boulders. Some transitional regions midway between the highlands and lowlands also exist. In these areas, craters that retain their regolith fill possess flat floors and resemble “ponds” seen on 433 Eros. Analyses of surface elevation, imagery and a quantitative measure of surface roughness are consistent with regolith flowing downhill from the highlands to fill in the low areas of Itokawa, probably covering up any pre-existing rough terrain. Using this interpretation, we find a minimum 2.3±0.4 m thick layer of regolith in the lowlands, which, if spread evenly across the entire asteroid, corresponds to a 42±1 cm thick layer. It is very difficult to generate this amount of regolith with the population of craters seen on Itokawa. However, an Itokawa composed of several large masses may have retained this regolith during its formation. The presence of such large masses could account for the observed lineaments and what appear to be exposures of bedrock on the largest steep slope observed.     

Spectroscopy of K-complex asteroids: Parent bodies of carbonaceous meteorites?

This is the first focused study of non-Eos K asteroids. We have observed a total of 30 K-complex objects (12 K-2 Sk- and 13 Xk-type asteroids (from the Bus taxonomy), plus 3 K-candidates from previous work) and we present an analysis of their spectral properties from 0.4 to 2.5 μm. We targeted these asteroids because their previous observations are spectrally similar enough to suggest a possible compositional relationship. All objects have exhibited spectral redness in the visible wavelengths and minor absorptions near 1 micron. If, as suggested, K-complex asteroids (including K, Xk, and Sk) are the parent bodies of carbonaceous meteorites, knowledge of K-asteroid properties and distribution is essential to our understanding of the cosmochemical importance of some of the most primitive meteorite materials in our collection. This paper presents initial results of our analysis of telescopic data, with supporting analysis of laboratory measurements of meteorite analogs. Our results indicate that K-complex asteroids are distinct from other main belt asteroid types (S, B, C, F, and G). They do not appear to be a subset of these other types. K asteroids nearly span the range of band center positions and geometric albedos exhibited by the carbonaceous chondrites (CO, CM, CV, CH, CK, CR, and CI). We find that B-, C-, F- and G-type asteroids tend to be darker than meteorites, and can have band centers longer than any of the chondrites measured here. This could indicate that K-complex asteroids are better spectral analogues for the majority of our carbonaceous meteorites than the traditional B-, C-, F- and G-matches suggested in the literature. This paper present first results of our ongoing survey to determine K-type mineralogy, meteorite linkages, and significance to the geology of the asteroid regions.     

The origin of Ganymede's polar caps

Since their discovery in Voyager images, the origin of the bright polar caps of Ganymede has intrigued investigators. Some models attributed the polar cap formation to thermal migration of water vapor to higher latitudes, while other models implicated plasma bombardment in brightening ice. Only with the arrival of Galileo at Jupiter was it apparent that Ganymede possesses a strong internal magnetic field, which blocks most of the plasma from bombarding the satellite's equatorial region while funneling plasma onto the polar regions. This discovery provides a plausible explanation for the polar caps as related to differences in plasma-induced brightening in the polar and the equatorial regions. In this context, we analyze global color and high resolution images of Ganymede obtained by Galileo, finding a very close correspondence between the observed polar cap boundary and the open/closed field lines boundary obtained from new modeling of the magnetic field environment. This establishes a clear link between plasma bombardment and polar cap brightening. High resolution images show that bright polar terrain is segregated into bright and dark patches, suggesting sputter-induced redistribution and subsequent cold trapping of water molecules. Minor differences between the location of the open/closed field lines boundary and the observed polar cap boundary may be due to interaction of Ganymede with Jupiter's magnetosphere, and our neglect of higher-order terms in modeling Ganymede's internal field. We postulate that leading-trailing brightness differences in Ganymede's low-latitude surface are due to enhanced plasma flux onto the leading hemisphere, rather than darkening of the trailing hemisphere. In contrast to Ganymede, the entire surface of Europa is bombarded by jovian plasma, suggesting that sputter-induced redistribution of water molecules is a viable means of brightening that satellite's surface.     

Thermal convection in the porous methane-soaked regolith of Titan: Investigation of stability

Titan is the only body, other than the Earth where liquid is present on the surface. In the present work we consider behavior of methane in the pores of Titan's regolith. Using numerical model we investigate quantitative conditions necessary for the onset of convection. We have found that the methane convection in Titan's regolith is possible. It can be expected in regions where the regolith has sufficiently high porosity, independently of the geothermal heat flux.     

Submillimeter lightcurves of Vesta

Thermal lightcurves of Asteroid Vesta with significant amplitude have been observed at 870 μm (345 GHz) using the MPIfR 19-channel bolometer of the Heinrich–Hertz Submillimeter Telescope. Shape and albedo are not sufficient to explain the magnitude of this variation, which we relate to global variations in thermal inertia and/or other thermophysical parameters. Vesta's lightcurve has been observed over several epochs with the same general shape. However, there are some changes in morphology that may in part be related to viewing geometry and/or asteroid season. Inconsistent night-to-night variations exhibit the inherent difficulties in photometry at this wavelength. We are able to match the observed brightness temperatures with a relatively simple thermal model that integrates beneath the surface and assumes reasonable values of thermal inertia, loss tangent and refractive index, and without having to assume low values of emissivity in the submillimeter. High flux portions of the submillimeter lightcurve are found to correspond to regions with weak mafic bands observed in Hubble Space Telescope images.     

Small-Scale Topography of 433 Eros from Laser Altimetry and Imaging

The NEAR laser rangefinder (NLR) obtained more than 16 million range returns from asteroid 433 Eros. We present the first results from analyses of topographic profiles interpreted with the aid of simultaneous, boresighted images obtained by the NEAR multispectral imager (MSI). The location of the NLR boresight relative to that of MSI is determined by detailed correlations of ranging data and simultaneous images, including cases where the laser boresight slewed off and on the limb of the asteroid and cases where the laser illuminated a boulder close to the time of an image. In the data presented, the precision of the range measurements is about 1 m, with the minimum spot diameter under 5 m, and successive spots are contiguous or overlapping. Elevation on the irregular object Eros is given with respect to the gravitational and centrifugal potential. Landslides in craters are characterized. Possible crater benches are identified. Examples of infilled craters are presented. These observations suggest a depth of unconsolidated regolith, which is subject to sliding, of typically a few tens of meters. An example of structurally controlled cratering is presented. Examples of tectonic features are described. Surface roughness on Eros is approximately self-affine from scales of a few meters to hundreds of meters. A comparison of fractal statistics shows that Eros is extremely rough on observed scales, when compared to terrestrial a'a lava on submeter scales and undisturbed lunar regolith on subcentimeter scales.     

Impact cratering records of the mid-sized, icy saturnian satellites

Resolution of Voyager 1 and 2 images of the mid-sized, icy saturnian satellites was generally not much better than 1 km per line pair, except for a few, isolated higher resolution images. Therefore, analyses of impact crater distributions were generally limited to diameters (D) of tens of kilometers. Even with the limitation, however, these analyses demonstrated that studying impact crater distributions could expand understanding of the geology of the saturnian satellites and impact cratering in the outer Solar System. Thus to gain further insight into Saturn’s mid-sized satellites and impact cratering in the outer Solar System, we have compiled cratering records of these satellites using higher resolution CassiniISS images. Images from Cassini of the satellites range in resolution from tens m/pixel to hundreds m/pixel. These high-resolution images provide a look at the impact cratering records of these satellites never seen before, expanding the observable craters down to diameters of hundreds of meters. The diameters and locations of all observable craters are recorded for regions of Mimas, Tethys, Dione, Rhea, Iapetus, and Phoebe. These impact crater data are then analyzed and compared using cumulative, differential and relative (R) size-frequency distributions. Results indicate that the heavily cratered terrains on Rhea and Iapetus have similar distributions implying one common impactor population bombarded these two satellites. The distributions for Mimas and Dione, however, are different from Rhea and Iapetus, but are similar to one another, possibly implying another impactor population common to those two satellites. The difference between these two populations is a relative increase of craters with diameters between 10 and 30 km and a relative deficiency of craters with diameters between 30 and 80 km for Mimas and Dione compared with Rhea and Iapetus. This may support the result from Voyager images of two distinct impactor populations. One population was suggested to have a greater number of large impactors, most likely heliocentric comets (Saturn Population I in the Voyager literature), and the other a relative deficiency of large impactors and a greater number of small impactors, most likely planetocentric debris (Saturn Population II). Meanwhile, Tethys’ impact crater size-frequency distribution, which has some similarity to the distributions of Mimas, Dione, Rhea, and Iapetus, may be transitional between the two populations. Furthermore, when the impact crater distributions from these older cratered terrains are compared to younger ones like Dione’s smooth plains, the distributions have some similarities and differences. Therefore, it is uncertain whether the size-frequency distribution of the impactor population(s) changed over time. Finally, we find that Phoebe has a unique impact crater distribution. Phoebe appears to be lacking craters in a narrow diameter range around 1 km. The explanation for this confined “dip” at D = 1 km is not yet clear, but may have something to do with the interaction of Saturn’s irregular satellites or the capture of Phoebe.     

Analysis and interpretation of Cassini Titan radar altimeter echoes

The Cassini spacecraft has acquired 25 radar altimeter elevation profiles along Titan's surface as of April 2008, and we have analyzed 18 of these for which there are currently reconstructed ephemeris data. Altimeter measurements were collected at spatial footprint sizes from 6-60 km along ground tracks of length 400-3600 km. The elevation profiles yield topographic information at this resolution with a statistical height accuracy of 35-50 m and kilometer-scale errors several times greater. The data exhibit significant variations in terrain, from flat regions with little topographic expression to very rugged Titanscapes. The bandwidth of the transmitted waveform admits vertical resolution of the terrain height to 35 m at each observed location on the surface. Variations in antenna pointing and changes in surface statistics cause the range-compressed radar echoes to exhibit strong systematic and time-variable biases of hundreds of meters in delay. It is necessary to correct the received echoes for these changes, and we have derived correction algorithms such that the derived echo profiles are accurate at the 100 m level for off-nadir pointing errors of 0.3° and 0.6°, for leading edge and echo centroid estimators, respectively. The leading edge of the echo yields the elevation of the highest points on the surface, which we take to be the peaks of any terrain variation. The mean value of the echo delay is more representative of the mean elevation, so that the difference of these values gives an estimate of any local mountain heights. Finding locations where these values diverge indicates higher-relief terrain. Elevation features are readily seen in the height profiles. Several of the passes show mountains of several hundred m altitude, spread over 10's or even 100's of km in spatial extent, so that slopes are very small. Large expanses of sub-100 m topography are commonplace on Titan, so it is rather smooth in many locations. Other areas exhibit more relief, although the overall observed variation in surface height on any pass is less than about 1 km. Some elevation features correspond to observed changes in brightness in Cassini infrared images, but many do not. Correspondence between the imaging SAR ground tracks and the altimeter paths is limited, so that identifying elevation changes with higher resolution SAR features is premature at present.     

Titan's surface: Search for spectral diversity and composition using the Cassini VIMS investigation

The surface composition of Titan is of great importance for understanding both the internal evolution of Titan and its atmosphere. The Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) investigation on Cassini is observing Titan from 0.35 to 5.11 μm with spatial resolution down to a few kilometers during each flyby of the spacecraft as it orbits Saturn. Our search for spectral diversity using seven methane transmission windows in the near infrared suggests that spectrally distinct units exist on the surface of Titan and that most of the surface can be modeled using only a few distinct spectral units: water frost, CO₂ frost, atmospheric scattering, and an unknown material bright at 2 μm. A dark, spectrally neutral material is also implied. Use of an atmospheric scattering component with spectral mixing analysis may provide a method for partially removing atmospheric effects. In some locations, atmospheric scattering accounts for the majority of the signal. There are also small regions with unusual spectra that may be due to low signal and high noise and/or may be exotic materials of interest. Further, we searched within the methane windows for spectral features associated with Titan's surface. Only the 5-μm and, to a lesser extent, the 2-μm window provide a reasonable opportunity for this, as the shorter-wavelength windows are too narrow and the 2.8-μm window is cluttered with an unknown atmospheric constituent. We find evidence for only one spectral feature: near 4.92 μm for the 5-μm bright Tui Regio region. CO₂ frost with grains smaller than about 10 μm is the best candidate we have found so far to explain this absorption as well as the feature's spectral contrast between the 2.7- and the 2.8-μm atmosphere subwindows. This suggested CO₂ identification is supported by the presence of an endmember in the spectral mixture analysis that is consistent with CO₂ frost with large grain sizes. We find no other absorption features that are statistically significant, including those reported earlier by others. These results are consistent with but greatly extend our early analysis that treated only the Ta data set [McCord, T.B., et al., 2006a. Planet. Space Sci. 54, 1524-1539]. In the spectral feature search process, we explored in detail the noise characteristics of the VIMS data within the 5-μm window, which has generally very low signal (4-20 DN), due to the measurement conditions and low illumination levels. We find noise of nearly Gaussian statistics except for some erratic darks and noise spikes, and the data set seems generally well behaved. We present examples of our attempt to improve on the standard VIMS pipeline data calibration.     

Hydrate sulfuric acid after sulfur implantation in water ice

For many years an ongoing research program performed at our laboratory has had the aim to investigate the implantation of reactive ions in ices relevant to planetology by using IR spectroscopy. We present new results obtained by implanting 200 keV sulfur ions into water ice at 80 K. We have looked at the formation of sulfur-bearing molecules such as sulfuric acid, sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. We find that hydrated sulfuric acid is formed with high yield (0.65±0.1 molecules/ion). An upper limit to the production yield of SO₂ (Y0.025 molecules/ion) has been estimated; no hydrogen sulfide has been detected. The formation of hydrogen peroxide is confirmed. Ozone is not detected. The results are discussed relevant to the inquiry on the radiolytic sulfur cycle considered responsible for the formation of sulfur-bearing molecules on the surfaces of the Galilean satellites. We demonstrate that sulfur implantation efficiently forms hydrated sulfuric acid whose observed abundance is explained as caused by an exogenic process. It is more difficult to say if the observed sulfur dioxide is quantitatively supported by only sulfur implantation; additional experimental studies are necessary along with direct observations, especially at UV wavelengths such as those that could be performed by instruments on board Hubble Space Telescope or by the forthcoming World Space Observatory (WSO/UV).     

On the Light-Absorbing Surface Layer of Cometary Nuclei: II. Thermal Modeling

The classical way to treat absorption of solar light in thermophysical modeling of cometary nuclei (and other ice-rich bodies such as jovian satellites) has been to assume complete opaqueness of the surface material. However, as shown by Davidsson and Skorov (2002, Icarus156, 223-248), substantial light penetration can occur in porous ice even if it is very dusty, implying that gradual absorption of energy in a surface layer should be accounted for.We present a thorough comparison between a surface energy absorption model and a layer energy absorption model, for various combinations of heliocentric distances, conductivities, opacities, pore sizes, and rotational periods relevant for cometary nuclei, by fully solving the coupled differential equations of heat transfer and gas diffusion. We find substantial differences between the models in terms of gas production rate, thermal lag angle, surface temperature, and the origin of coma molecules. For example, the surface energy absorption model overestimates the total gas production by a factor of 2-7, underestimates the lag angle by a factor of 2-3, and places the origin of coma molecules at the surface, instead of the near-surface interior.     

Titan's surface at 2.2-cm wavelength imaged by the Cassini RADAR radiometer: Calibration and first results

The first comprehensive calibration and mapping of the thermal microwave emission from Titan's surface is reported based on radiometric data obtained at 2.2-cm wavelength by the passive radiometer included in the Cassini Radar instrument. The data reported were accumulated from 69 separate observational segments in Titan passes from Ta (October 2004) through T30 (May 2007) and include emission from 94% of Titan's surface. They are diverse in the key observing parameters of emission angle, polarization, and spatial resolution, and their reduction into calibrated global mosaic maps involved several steps. Analysis of the polarimetry obtained at low to moderate resolution (50+ km) enabled integration of the radiometry into a single mosaic of the equivalent brightness temperature at normal incidence with a relative precision of about 1 K. The Huygens probe measurement of Titan's surface temperature and radiometry obtained on Titan's dune fields allowed us to infer an absolute calibration estimated to be accurate to a level approaching 1 K. The results provide evidence for a surface that is complex and varied on large scales. The radiometry primarily constrains physical properties of the surface, where we see strong evidence for subsurface (volume) scattering as a dominant mechanism that determines the emissivity, with the possibility of a fluffy or graded-density surface layer in many regions. The results are consistent with, but not necessarily definitive of a surface composition resulting from the slow deposition and processing of organic compounds from the atmosphere.     

Crater modification and geologic activity in Enceladus' heavily cratered plains: Evidence from the impact crater distribution

Although we can observe current activity on Saturn's satellite Enceladus with Cassini, insight into past activity is best achieved (for now) through studying the impact crater distributions. Furthermore, approximation of terrain ages can only be attained through calculations using crater densities and estimations of impact rates in the saturnian system. Here we focus on what the impact crater distribution in Enceladus' heavily cratered plains can tell us about Enceladus' geologic history. We use Cassini ISS images to count craters in the heavily cratered plains on Enceladus, along with Rhea, Dione, Tethys and Mimas as references, to develop and compare their size-frequency distributions. Comparisons of our counts show that Enceladus' cratered plains distribution is unique in that it appears to have a relative deficiency of craters for diameters ?2 km and ?6 km compared to the other satellites' heavily cratered plains. Our data also indicates that the impact crater density within the cratered plains changes with latitude. Specifically, both the north and south mid-latitude regions have approximately three times higher density than the equatorial region. We hypothesize that the “missing” small and large craters in Enceladus' cratered plains is due to a combination of viscous relaxation of the larger craters, and burial of the relaxed large craters and small craters by south polar plume and possibly E-ring material. We also conclude that the spatial density distribution is not consistent with recent polar wander.     

Polarimetry of main belt asteroids: Wavelength dependence

New UBVRI polarimetric observations of ten asteroids, including space mission targets 1 Ceres and 21 Lutetia, are presented. These observations were obtained with the 1.25-m telescope of the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory and have been used to study the wavelength dependence of polarization for a sample of asteroids belonging to the M and low albedo classes. A more general analysis including also a larger data set of UBVRI polarimetric observations available in the literature for more than 50 main belt asteroids belonging to different taxonomic classes shows that the variation of the polarization degree Pr as a function of wavelength is generally well described by a linear trend. It typically does not exceed 0.2% in the studied spectral range 0.37-0.83 microns and tends to increase for increasing phase angle. Asteroids belonging to the S and M classes are found to exhibit a deeper negative branch and smaller positive polarization for increasing wavelength (negative sign of the slope of ΔPr/Δλ). Since the objects belonging to these classes are known to exhibit reddish reflectance spectra, the observed wavelength behavior of negative polarization contradicts the well-known inverse correlation of Pmin and albedo. Low albedo asteroids show larger dispersion of spectral slopes, but the overall trend is characterized by a shallower negative branch and a larger positive polarization for increasing wavelength (positive sign of the slope of ΔPr/Δλ). A few exceptions from this general trend are discussed. The observed variety in the wavelength dependence of asteroid polarization seems to be mainly attributed to surface composition.     

Thermal inertia and bolometric Bond albedo values for Mimas, Enceladus, Tethys, Dione, Rhea and Iapetus as derived from Cassini/CIRS measurements

Spectra taken by Cassini’s Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) between 10 and 600 cm⁻¹ (17-1000 μm) of surface thermal emission of Mimas, Enceladus, Tethys, Dione, Rhea and Iapetus have been used to derive the thermal inertia and bolometric Bond albedo values. Only an upper limit for the bolometric Bond albedo of Iapetus’ dark leading side could be determined due to the insensitivity of the thermal model to albedo when albedos are very low. The thermal inertia in this region however is better constrained. The CIRS coverage of Enceladus is extensive enough that the latitudinal variation in these values from 60°S to 70°N has been determined in 10° wide bins. The bolometric Bond albedos determined here are consistent with literature values which show the surface of the saturnian icy moons to be covered in ice contaminated to varying degrees. The thermal inertia of the moons is shown to be in the range 9-, approximately 2-6 times lower than that of the Galilean satellites, implying a less well consolidated and more porous surface. The thermal inertias of Iapetus and Phoebe are somewhat higher, suggesting that the very low thermal inertias of satellites from Rhea inwards may be related to their probable coating of E-ring material. Latitudinal variations on the surface of Enceladus show that the bolometric Bond albedo and thermal inertia increase towards the active plume source at the south pole.