Constructing Chemical Pathways of Organic Compounds in Titan's Atmosphere

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

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Scientific paper

The CURE/Cassini Imaging Project has provided resources in acquiring images of the Saturnian system using the Imaging Science Subsystem Narrow-Angle Camera (ISS NAC) on board Cassini. Twenty eight images of Titan were taken during March 2, 2006, August 10, 2006, September 12, 2006 and May 4, 2007.
Titan is the largest satellite of Saturn with a thick atmosphere consisting of 98% N2 and 2% CH4. Studying Titan's atmosphere can provide a better understanding of pre-biotic Earth due to its nitrogen based atmosphere and due to the photochemical interactions of organic compounds occurring within the atmosphere, as well as with Titan's surface features. In studies prior to the arrival of Cassini-Huygens, microphysical models examined particles, referred to as fractal aggregates and tholins, in Titan's atmosphere exhibiting similar optical properties observed during Voyager flybys.
Literature research was conducted of Titan's atmosphere in order to map out the expected chemical pathways of the aerosol particles and to figure out the structure and composition of the atmosphere. The formation of haze particle layers is largely caused by the photolysis and polymerization of CH4, and the haze layers obstruct visible and UV light from illuminating surface features of Titan due to its complex scattering and absorption properties. An accurate illustration of the haze formation process is still under development, however, observations show that the main haze is located below the stratosphere (altitude <= 220 km), consisting of end compounds such as polyacetylene (C2H2), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and heavy nitriles. A diagram of the chemical reactions in Titan's atmosphere will be presented using the evidence found in the research. Further investigation into developing an accurate representation of the aerosol particle size, composition, and formation mechanism in Titan's atmosphere can be used in conjunction with observational data to create a model of the atmosphere.

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