Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Sep 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006dps....38.3601w&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #38, #36.01; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 38, p.548
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
The Cassini spacecraft has made multiple passes through the upper atmosphere of Titan. On many of these passes the Ion Neutral Mass Spectrometer has collected information about the composition and structure of the atmosphere. In this talk we present ion and neutral composition that show a tight coupling between the neutral and ion components of the upper atmosphere. The complexity of this organic mixture is truely amazing with clear evidence for neutrals such as benzene and toluene and ion spectra on both the day and nightside of Titan with matching complexity. Presently the limit to the complexity is set by the upper mass range of the mass spectrometer (100 Daltons) and not by Titan's ability to produce complex hydrocarbons and nitriles. The emerging picture suggests that these complex organics form the aerosols and volatiles that eventually end up coating the surface with organic dunes and lakes. In addition, the variations of the density of the atmosphere with latitude and altitude suggest an equatorial pressure bulge and large amplitude atmospheric waves not anticipated prior to the Cassini measurments. The dynamics indicates a strong dynamical coupling between the upper and lower atmosphere that has implications for both the chemsitry and dynamics of the atmosphere.
Cassini Ion Neutral Mass Spectrometer Team
Waite H. Jr. J..
No associations
LandOfFree
The Chemistry and Dynamics of Titan's Upper Atmosphere does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with The Chemistry and Dynamics of Titan's Upper Atmosphere, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Chemistry and Dynamics of Titan's Upper Atmosphere will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1000441