Solar control of the upper atmosphere of Triton

Details Solar control of the upper atmosphere of Triton Solar control of the upper atmosphere of Triton

Apr 1992

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1992sci...256..204l&link_type=abstract

Science (ISSN 0036-8075), vol. 256, April 10, 1992, p. 204-206.

Physics

9

Atmospheric Chemistry, Atmospheric Composition, Atmospheric Models, Satellite Atmospheres, Solar Radiation, Triton, Charge Transfer, Ionospheric Electron Density, Photochemical Reactions

Scientific paper

If the upper atmosphere and ionosphere of Triton are controlled by precipitation of electrons from Neptune's magnetosphere as previously proposed, Triton could have the only ionosphere in the solar system not controlled by solar radiation. However, a new model of Triton's atmosphere, in which only solar radiation is present, predicts a large column of carbon atoms. With an assumed, but reasonable, rate of charge transfer between N2(+) and C, a peak C(+) abundance results that is close to the peak electron densities measured by Voyager in Triton's ionosphere. These results suggest that Triton's upper atmospheric chemistry may thus be solar-controlled. Measurement of key reaction rate constants, currently unknown or highly uncertain at Triton's low temperatures, would help to clarify the chemical and physical processes occurring in Triton's atmosphere.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Solar control of the upper atmosphere of Triton 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 Solar control of the upper atmosphere of Triton, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Solar control of the upper atmosphere of Triton will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1741199