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An Evolutionary Turbulent Model of Saturn's Subnebula: Implications for the Origin of the Atmosphere of Titan

Mousis, Olivier; Gautier, Daniel; Bockelée-Morvan, Dominique

We have elaborated an evolutionary turbulent model of the subnebula of Saturn derived from that of Dubrulle (1993, Icarus106, 59-76) for the solar nebula, which is valid for a geometrically thin disk. We demonstrate that if carbon and nitrogen were in the form of CO and N ₂, respectively, in the early subnebula, these molecules were not…

Transition from Gaseous Compounds to Aerosols in Titan's Atmosphere

McKay, Christopher P.; Lebonnois, Sébastien; Bakes, E. L. O.

We investigate the chemical transition of simple molecules like C ₂H ₂ and HCN into aerosol particles in the context of Titan's atmosphere. Experiments that synthesize analogs (tholins) for these aerosols can help illuminate and constrain these polymerization mechanisms. Using information available from these experiments, we …

Photoelectric Charging of Submicron Aerosols and Macromolecules in the Titan Haze

McKay, Christopher P.; Bakes, E. L. O.; Bauschlicher, Charles W.

We quantify the charge states of submicrometer aerosols and aromatic macromolecules in Titan's organic haze. The aerosol charge is balanced between the recombination of positive ions with the aerosol plus the ejection of electrons from the aerosol via the UV-driven photoelectric effect and the recombination of electrons with the aerosol. During th…

Aging of Titan's Aerosols

Dimitrov, Vasili; Bar-Nun, Akiva

Titan's haze is composed of aerosols containing long chain polymers of acetylene with some hydrogen cyanide. These polymers have alternating double/single and triple/single bonds, which can open spontaneously or under the action of UV radiation or particle impact. Once opened, they can induce the opening of a double or triple bond in an adjacent c…