Physics
Scientific paper
Apr 2010
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010ttt..work...81t&link_type=abstract
Through Time; A Workshop On Titan's Past, Present and Future, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, April 6th - 8th, 2010. Edited b
Physics
Scientific paper
One of Titan's most captivating features is the thick organic haze layer surrounding the moon, formed in the CH4/N2 atmosphere. The haze particles are expected to result from extensive organic chemistry taking place throughout the atmosphere. We have examined the chemical properties of aerosol produced from far ultraviolet radiation, which is absorbed down into the stratosphere. In-situ molecular and elemental analysis of the aerosol product was achieved using a High Resolution Aerosol Mass Spectrometer. Our results indicate that aerosol formed from CH4/N2 photochemistry contains up to 15% nitrogen by mass, primarily as a result of photolysis at the Lyman-alpha wavelength. We will investigate the chemical structure of the nitrogen-containing species and propose mechanisms that may contribute to the nitrogen chemistry. The chemical products of benzene photolysis, with and without CH4 present, were also explored. The Cassini spacecraft has detected benzene in the upper atmosphere as a product of EUV radiation, and this molecule is strongly absorbing in the far UV. Aerosol properties (chemical and optical) may be strongly influenced by the inclusion of aromatic structure resulting from benzene photolysis in regions where higher molecular densities may lead to a large variety of reaction mechanisms for aerosol formation. This work has implications for understanding the chemical evolution as well as the production of prebiotic molecules in Titan's atmosphere.
Jimenez Jose L.
Tolbert Margaret A.
Toon Brian O.
Trainer Melissa G.
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