Physics
Scientific paper
Dec 2004
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004agufm.p42a..01o&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2004, abstract #P42A-01
Physics
5405 Atmospheres: Composition And Chemistry, 5407 Atmospheres: Evolution, 5455 Origin And Evolution
Scientific paper
With early results from Cassini and the imminent deployment of Huygens, it is useful to consider what observations the orbiter and the probe will be able to make to test existing models for the origin and evoution of Titan's atmosphere. This atmosphere must have resulted from some mixture of cometary impacts plus outgassing of the materials making up the bulk of the satellite. The nature of the icy planetestimals that accreted to form Titan is thus a key unknown in attempts to deduce atmospheric origin. Ground-based observations of 15N/14N in HCN and 18O/16O in CO suggest massive escape of the early atmosphere. The rapid photolysis of atmospheric CH{4 } and the near-normality of {13 }C/{12 }C both require a continuing source for methane, and some form of renewal is also necessary to maintain the abundance of CO. Subterranean oceans, cryovolcanism, continuing Fischer-Tropsch-type reactions and the metabolism of hypothetical sub-surface organisms are all alluring solutions to these problems. Predictions for isotope ratios and abundances flowing from the different models can be tested by the array of instruments carried by the Cassini-Huygens orbiter and probe.
No associations
LandOfFree
Origin and Evolution of Titan's Atmosphere: Testing the Models 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 Origin and Evolution of Titan's Atmosphere: Testing the Models, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Origin and Evolution of Titan's Atmosphere: Testing the Models will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1453692