Properties of methane clouds on Titan: Results from microphysical modeling

Details Properties of methane clouds on Titan: Results from microphysical modeling Properties of methane clouds on Titan: Results from microphysical modeling

Jul 2004

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004georl..3117s07b&link_type=abstract

Geophysical Research Letters, Volume 31, Issue 17, CiteID L17S07

Physics

3

Planetology: Solid Surface Planets: Atmospheres-Structure And Dynamics, Planetology: Solid Surface Planets: Atmospheres-Composition And Chemistry, Planetology: Solar System Objects: Saturnian Satellites

Scientific paper

Observations indicate methane in Titan's atmosphere may be both highly supersaturated and condensed in clouds. In this paper, we present simulations of methane clouds which show that supersaturation and condensation can be compatible given certain conditions. Cloud formation is limited by lack of suitable nuclei as it is for terrestrial cirrus. The simulations suggest much of the troposphere contains optically thin clouds composed of methane which have formed on ethane coated cores. Optically thick methane clouds form in regions where atmospheric dynamics pushes the supersaturation beyond a threshold value. Horizontal quasi-barotropic motions are more likely to drive the supersaturation creating these clouds than are vertical motions.

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