title: Cassini/VIMS observes rough surfaces on Titan's Punga Mare in specular reflection.
abstract: Cassini/VIMS high-phase specular observations of Titan's north pole during the T85 flyby show evidence for isolated patches of rough liquid surface within the boundaries of the sea Punga Mare. The roughness shows typical slopes of 6°±1°. These rough areas could be either wet mudflats or a wavy sea. Because of their large areal extent, patchy geographic distribution, and uniform appearance at low phase, we prefer a waves interpretation. Applying theoretical wave calculations based on Titan conditions our slope determination allows us to infer winds of 0.76±0.09 m/s and significant wave heights of [Formula: see text] cm at the time and locations of the observation. If correct, these would represent the first waves seen on Titan's seas, and also the first extraterrestrial sea-surface waves in general.
authors: Department of Physics, University of Idaho, Moscow, 83844-0903 Idaho USA.
authors: Jason W
authors: JW
authors: Barnes
authors: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Caltech, Pasadena, 91109 California USA.
authors: Christophe
authors: C
authors: Sotin
authors: Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, 02141 MA USA.
authors: Jason M
authors: JM
authors: Soderblom
authors: Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, 85721 Arizona USA.
authors: Robert H
authors: RH
authors: Brown
authors: Department of Astronomy, Cornell University, Ithaca, 14853 NY USA.
authors: Alexander G
authors: AG
authors: Hayes
authors: University of Miami, Miami, 33149 FL USA.
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Donelan
authors: Laboratoire AIM, Université Paris Diderot/CEA Irfu/CNRS, Centre de l'orme des Mérisiers, bât. 709, Gif/Yvette Cedex, 91191 France.
authors: Sebastien
authors: S
authors: Rodriguez
authors: Laboratoire de Planétologie et Géodynamique, CNRS UMR6112, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France.
authors: Stéphane Le
authors: SL
authors: Mouélic
authors: Space Science and Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 53706 WI USA.
authors: Kevin H
authors: KH
authors: Baines
authors: Bear Fight Institute, Winthrop, 98862 Washington USA.
authors: Thomas B
authors: TB
authors: McCord
keywords: Hydrology; Titan