Detection of sub-micron radiation from the surface of venus by Cassini/VIMS

We report the first detection and profile characterization of thermal emiss ion from the surface of Venus at 0.85 and 0.90 mum, observed in the first p lanetary spectrum acquired by the Visual-Infrared Mapping Spectrometer onbo ard the Cassini spacecraft en route to the Saturn system. The strength and shape of these two newly observed nightside emissions agree with theoretica l predictions based on the strength of the strong emission observed at 1.01 mum, These emissions, together with previously-reported surface emission f eatures at 1,01, 1,10, and 1.18 mum, potentially provide a new technique fo r remotely mapping the mineralogical composition of the venusian surface. ( C) 2000 Academic Press.