Imaging spectroscopy of Saturn and its satellites: VIMS-V onboard Cassini

The instrument VIMS (Visible and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer) to be flown on Cassini is a multispectral imager covering the spectral range from 0.30-5.1 mu m. Some major areas for the scientific objectives of the Cassini-VIMS instrument will be study of the atmospheres of Saturn and Titan; study of the surface composition and spatial distribution of different species for Saturn icy satellites; study of the structure and composition of Saturn rings VIMS instrument is made up of two independent channels, one covering the visible range from 0.30-1.05 mu m and named VIMS-V, the second covering the spectral range from 0.85-5.1 mu m. In this paper we will describe the scientific objectives which will be addressed specifically by VIMS-V, and how the observations in the visible range will complement those obtained by the infrared channel;derived observational constraints for VIMS-V will be discussed wherever appropriate. A general description of the instrument will follow with a detailed examination of the peculiar features of the instrument. Finally, the calibration activity will be analysed and the results discussed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.