Saturn’s icy satellites investigated by Cassini - VIMS. V. Spectrophotometry

Albedo, spectral slopes, and water ice band depths maps for the five midsized saturnian satellites Mimas, Enceladus, Tethys, Dione, Rhea have been derived from Cassini-Visual Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) data. The are systematically built photometric corrected data by applying Kaasalainen-Shkuratov model (Kaasalainen et al., 2001; Shkuratov 2011). In this work a quadratic function is used to fit phase curves filtering observations taken with incidence angle i?70?, emission e?70?, 10??g?120?, Cassini-satellite distance D?100.000 km. This procedure repeated subset of 65 VIMS visible near-infrared wavelengths each satellite. average parameters compare satellites’ properties study their variability illumination conditions changes. We derive equigonal albedo, extrapolated at g = 0?, not including opposition effect, equal 0.63 ± 0.02 0.89 0.03 0.74 0.65 0.60 0.05 0.55?m. knowledge response allows correct individual spectra build through geolocation. Maps rendered fixed resolution corresponding 0.5?×0.5? bin on longitude latitude grid resulting in spatial resolutions 1.7 km/bin 2.2 Enceladus; 4.7 Tethys; 4.5 Dione; 6.7 Rhea. These allow establishing relationships morphological features endogenic exogenic processes capable alter surface several mechanisms. hemispheric dichotomies albedo indicators between leading trailing hemispheres common all satellites: accumulation fine E ring grains responsible higher measured across Rhea, side Mimas. Conversely, dark red-colored material associated implantation cold plasma particles. thermal anomaly lenses located equatorial regions Mimas Tethys resolved mapped. evidence that distribution lens biased presence large Herschel impact crater pointing different regolith size respect Tethys. show local changes correspondence recent craters (Inktomi Creusa Dione) Dione’s wispy terrains caused exposure pristine ice. Enceladus’ tiger stripes, active sources plumes southern polar region, despite being partially measuring an exceedingly high comparison rest satellite’s surface. Moreover, smooth hemisphere around (lon,lat)=(90?,30?) peculiar (low infrared positive 0.35-0.55?m slope maximum depth) possibly buried diapir area. albedos induced investigated exploited establish among as orbital Saturn.