Abstract Saturn's satellite Titan is the second-largest in the solar system. Its dense atmosphere is mostly molecular nitrogen with an admixture of methane, a surface pressure of 1.5 bars and a surface temperature of 94K. The fundamental driving force in the long-term evolution of Titan's atmosphere is the photolysis of methane in the stratosphere to form higher hydrocarbons and aerosols. The current rate of photolysis and undersaturation of methane in the lower troposphere suggests the presence of a massive ethane-methane-nitrogen ocean. The ocean evolves to a more ethane-rich state over geologic time, driving changes in the atmospheric thermal structure. An outstanding issue concerning Titan's earliest history is the origin of atmospheric nitrogen: was it introduced into Titan as molecular nitrogen or ammonia? Measurement of the argon-to-nitrogen ratio in the present atmosphere provides a diagnostic test of these competing hypotheses. Many of the questions raised by the Voyager encounters about Titan and its atmosphere can be adequately addressed only by an entry probe, such as that planned for the Cassini mission. Contribution number 88-22, Theoretical Astrophysics Program, University of Arizona.


    Zugriff

    Zugriff prüfen

    Verfügbarkeit in meiner Bibliothek prüfen

    Bestellung bei Subito €


    Exportieren, teilen und zitieren



    Titel :

    Titan


    Beteiligte:

    Erschienen in:

    Advances in Space Research ; 10 , 1 ; 137-144


    Erscheinungsdatum :

    01.01.1989


    Format / Umfang :

    8 pages




    Medientyp :

    Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)


    Format :

    Elektronische Ressource


    Sprache :

    Englisch



    The Evolution of the Titan Rocket-Titan I to Titan II

    Adams, L. J. / International Astronautical Federation / International Academy of Astronautics | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1997


    Titan

    United States; National Aerospace and Space Administration; Exobiology Program | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1992


    Titan

    Lunine, Jonathan I. | NTRS | 1990


    Titan

    Pollack, J. B. | NTRS | 1981


    TITAN INVESTIGATOR

    Villafana, Lizvette / Devalaraju, Venkata / Arevalo, Gerardo et al. | TIBKAT | 2020