Constraints On The Origin Of Titan From Huygens Probe Measurements

Details Constraints On The Origin Of Titan From Huygens Probe Measurements Constraints On The Origin Of Titan From Huygens Probe Measurements

Oct 2007

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2007dps....39.4409m&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #39, #44.09; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 39, p.501

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Scientific paper

Assuming a solar abundance for all elements in the solar nebula gas phase, we show that ices formed in the feeding zone of Saturn are composed of a mix of hydrates and clathrate hydrates produced above 50 K and pure condensates crystallized at lower temperatures. From the calculation of the composition of ices produced in the solar nebula, we demonstrate that the formation of CH4 clathrate hydrate leads to the simultaneous trapping of important quantities of Xe and Kr as additional guests in the same structure. In order to explain the current composition of Titan's atmosphere, which presents a deficiency in primordial noble gases (Niemann et al. 2005; Nature 438, 779) and a low CO:CH4 ratio (Gautier & Raulin 1997, ESA SP 1177, 359), we propose that the satellite was accreted at a temperature of about 50 K in the Saturn's subnebula (Alibert & Mousis 2007; A&A, 465, 1051). Such a formation temperature implies that the icy planetesimals accreted by proto-Titan were impoverished in CO, N2 and primordial Ar. In contrast, volatiles that formed ices at higher temperatures in the nebula, namely H2O, NH3, H2S, CO2, CH4, Xe and Kr, were incorporated in proto-Titan. N2 observed in the atmosphere of Titan is then likely the result of NH3 photolysis (Atreya et al. 1978; Science 201, 611). We also argue that Xe and Kr initially released in the atmosphere of the early Titan were subsequently efficiently sequestrated in multiple guest clathrate hydrates that may exist at the surface (or in the near subsurface) of the satellite (Thomas et al. 2007; A&AL, in press).

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