Other
Scientific paper
Oct 2007
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2007dps....39.4709b&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #39, #47.09; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 39, p.506
Other
Scientific paper
The vertical distribution and optical properties of haze particles as well as the absorption coefficients for methane in Titan's atmosphere have recently been determined from in situ measurements by the Descent Imager / Spectral Radiometer (DISR) aboard the Huygens probe (Tomasko et al. a, b, submitted to Planet. Space Sci.). We used these results to calculate the solar heating rate at the Huygens site as a function of altitude and zenith angle as well as the disk-averaged heating profile, assuming the same haze distribution all over the satellite (Tomasko et al. c, submitted to Planet. Space Sci.). We present here a calculation of the cooling rate profile using measurements by the Cassini Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) around the latitude of the Huygens site (10.3°S). The thermal flux was calculated as a function of altitude using temperature, gas and haze continuum emission derived from CIRS nadir and limb spectra, complemented by Huygens in situ measurements. We find that the cooling rate decreases monotonically from about 1 K / day between 250 and 400 km down to about 0.001 K / day at 20-30 km. Collision-induced opacity is the main source of atmospheric cooling below 80 km. Above, molecular band and haze opacities dominate, with comparable contribution from each component. The cooling rate profile agrees quite well with the disk-averaged heating rate profile derived from DISR measurements. On the other hand, the solar heating rate at the Huygens landing site exceeds the radiative cooling rate by a maximum of 0.03 K / day near 120 km altitude and this excess decreases strongly above and below this altitude. The general circulation is likely to redistribute this heat to higher latitudes.
Bezard Bruno
Tomasko Martin G.
Vinatier Stéphane
No associations
LandOfFree
Heat Balance in Titan's Atmosphere 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 Heat Balance in Titan's Atmosphere, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Heat Balance in Titan's Atmosphere will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1066825