Computer Science
Scientific paper
Aug 1978
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1978sci...201..611a&link_type=abstract
Science, vol. 201, Aug. 18, 1978, p. 611-613. NSF-supported research;
Computer Science
45
Atmospheric Composition, Atmospheric Models, Nitrogen, Photochemical Reactions, Planetary Atmospheres, Planetary Evolution, Titan, Ammonia, Greenhouse Effect, Hydrogen, Methane, Planetary Surfaces, Reaction Kinetics, Surface Temperature, Saturn, Titan, Satellites, Atmosphere, Gases, Nitrogen, Surface, Gas Cloud, Temperatures, Greenhouse Effect, Ammonia, Flux, Evolution
Scientific paper
Photochemical calculations indicate that if NH3 outgassed from Titan it should have been converted to a dense N2 atmosphere during the lifetime of the satellite. A crucial step in the process involves a gas phase reaction of N2H4 with H. The most favorable conditions for this step would be the intermediate production of a CH4-H2 greenhouse capable of raising the gas temperature to 150 K. Subsequently about 20 bars of N2 could have evolved. The pressure-induced opacity of 20 bars of N2 should suffice to explain the recently measured 200 K surface temperature. Unlike the situation on Jupiter, NH3 is not recycled on Titan by reactions involving N2 or N2H4. This may explain the failure of recent attempts to detect NH3 in the upper atmosphere of Titan.
Atreya Sushil K.
Donahue Thomas M.
Kuhn William R.
No associations
LandOfFree
Evolution of a nitrogen atmosphere on Titan 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 Evolution of a nitrogen atmosphere on Titan, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Evolution of a nitrogen atmosphere on Titan will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-946163