Search Publications
Formation and distribution of benzene on Titan
Yelle, R. V.; Vuitton, V.; Cui, J.
We present a study of the formation and distribution of benzene (C6H6) on Titan. Analysis of the Cassini Mass Spectrometer (INMS) measurements of benzene densities on 12 Titan passes shows that the benzene signal exhibits an unusual time dependence, peaking ~20 s after closest approach, rather than at closest approach. We sho…
Methane escape from Titan's atmosphere
Yelle, R. V.; Cui, J.; Müller-Wodarg, I. C. F.
Measurements of the mole fractions of CH4 and 40Ar by the Ion Neutral Mass Spectrometer on the Cassini orbiter are analyzed to determine the rate of vertical mixing in Titan's atmosphere and the escape flux of CH4. Analysis of the 40Ar data indicates an eddy mixing rate of 2-5 × 107 cm2
Horizontal structures and dynamics of Titan's thermosphere
Waite, J. H.; Yelle, R. V.; Cui, J. +1 more
The Cassini Ion Neutral Mass Spectrometer (INMS) measures densities of gases including N2 and CH4 in situ in Titan's upper atmosphere. We have used data from 13 targeted flybys of Titan (T5-T32) to construct an empirical model that describes the mean state of the thermosphere in the northern hemisphere, giving the N2
Distribution and escape of molecular hydrogen in Titan's thermosphere and exosphere
Yelle, R. V.; Volk, K.; Cui, J.
We present an in-depth study of the distribution and escape of molecular hydrogen (H2) on Titan, based on the global average H2 distribution at altitudes between 1000 and 6000 km, extracted from a large sample of Cassini/Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrometer (INMS) measurements. Below Titan's exobase, the observed H2 d…
Mobile lid convection beneath Enceladus' south polar terrain
Barr, Amy C.
Enceladus' south polar region has a large heat flux, 55-110 mW m-2, that is spatially associated with cryovolcanic and tectonic activity. Tidal dissipation and vigorous convection in the underlying ice shell are possible sources of heat, however, prior predictions of the heat flux carried by stagnant lid convection range from F con…
Titan's winter polar vortex structure revealed by chemical tracers
Irwin, P. G. J.; Teanby, N. A.; Calcutt, S. B. +10 more
The winter polar vortex on Saturn's largest moon Titan has profound effects on atmospheric circulation and chemistry and for the current northern midwinter season is the major dynamical feature of Titan's stratosphere and mesosphere. We use 2 years of observations from Cassini's composite infrared spectrometer to determine cross sections of five i…
Mapping and interpretation of Sinlap crater on Titan using Cassini VIMS and RADAR data
Sotin, Christophe; Barnes, Jason W.; Le Mouélic, Stéphane +15 more
Only a few impact craters have been unambiguously detected on Titan by the Cassini-Huygens mission. Among these, Sinlap is the only one that has been observed both by the RADAR and VIMS instruments. This paper describes observations at centimeter and infrared wavelengths which provide complementary information about the composition, topography, an…
Correction to ``Titan's bright spots: Multiband spectroscopic measurement of surface diversity and hazes''
Genzel, R.; Eisenhauer, F.; de Pater, I. +3 more
Abstract Available from http://www.agu.org