Abstract The ionosphere of Titan is expected to consist of hydrocarbon and nitrile ions resulting from the ionization of the predominant constituent N2 and chemical reactions with the minor constituent methane. Impact ionization of N2 and dissociative recombination of the resulting ions lead to energetic neutrals which can escape from Titan's exosphere. Interaction of the solar wind, particularly during a T-Tauri phase, with Titan's ionosphere when it lies outside Saturn's magnetosphere will lead to removal of atmospheric species from Titan. Estimates of atmospheric mass loss due to these processes and its significance for the evolution of Titan's atmosphere will be presented.
Titan's ionosphere and atmospheric evolution
Advances in Space Research ; 7 , 5 ; 65-69
1987-01-01
5 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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