Hokupa`a/Gemini images of Titan

Hokupa`a/Gemini images of Titan obtained with Gemini North using a filter probing the surface of Titan on December 7-9, 2001. Image (a) corresponds to the surface of the moon, and (b) probes its mid-stratosphere. Images (c) and (d) show the lower troposphere. The bright feature at the southern pole (c and d) is the so-called "bright continent". This may be an icy highland surrounded by seas or lakes of hydrocarbons. The true nature of Titan's surface and the composition of the dark and bright areas remain unknown.