Abstract On the basis of Voyager 2 observations, a simple model of Triton's thermosphere and ionosphere is built. Heating and ionization by solar EUV and precipitating electrons are computed. Our main conclusions are: (i) solar EUV flux at Triton is large enough to account for the observed exospheric temperature (95 K), but not for the observed electron densities (ii) Although N2 + is the principal product of ionization, it is rapidly quenched in collisions with CH4 or H2 and N+ is the major ion (iii) the ionosphere is in chemical equilibrium below 700 km and in diffusive equilibrium above (iv) Ionization by a maxwellian distribution of precipitating electrons with average energy 900 eV and total input 0.1 erg cm−3 s−1 can reasonably well account for the observed ionosphere.


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    Title :

    A model of Triton's atmosphere and ionosphere


    Contributors:
    Lellouch, E. (author) / Blanc, M. (author) / Oukbir, J. (author) / Longaretti, P.-Y. (author)

    Published in:

    Advances in Space Research ; 12 , 11 ; 113-121


    Publication date :

    1992-01-01


    Size :

    9 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English





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