Search Publications
Surface Chemistry and Particle Shape: Processes for the Evolution of Aerosols in Titan's Atmosphere
Lavvas, P.; Sander, M.; Kraft, M. +1 more
We use a stochastic approach in order to investigate the production and evolution of aerosols in Titan's atmosphere. The simulation initiates from the benzene molecules observed in the thermosphere and follows their evolution to larger aromatic structures through reaction with gas-phase radical species. Aromatics are allowed to collide and provide…
Seasonal Changes in Titan's Surface Temperatures
Flasar, F. M.; Coustenis, A.; Jennings, D. E. +9 more
Seasonal changes in Titan's surface brightness temperatures have been observed by Cassini in the thermal infrared. The Composite Infrared Spectrometer measured surface radiances at 19 µm in two time periods: one in late northern winter (LNW; Ls = 335°) and another centered on northern spring equinox (NSE; Ls = 0°). In b…
Removal of Titan's Atmospheric Noble Gases by Their Sequestration in Surface Clathrates
Mousis, Olivier; Lunine, Jonathan I.; Mandt, Kathleen E. +3 more
A striking feature of the atmosphere of Titan is that no heavy noble gases other than argon were detected by the Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer aboard the Huygens probe during its descent to Titan's surface in 2005 January. Here we provide an explanation of the mysterious absence or rarity of these noble gases in Titan's atmosphere: the therm…
Constraining Saturn's Core Properties by a Measurement of Its Moment of Inertia—Implications to the Cassini Solstice Mission
Helled, R.
Knowledge of Saturn's axial moment of inertia can provide valuable information on its internal structure. We suggest that Saturn's angular momentum may be determined by the Solstice Mission (Cassini XXM) by measuring Saturn's pole precession rate and the Lense-Thirring acceleration on the spacecraft, and therefore put constraints on Saturn's momen…
Dual Origin of Aerosols in Titan's Detached Haze Layer
Rodriguez, S.; West, R. A.; Brahic, A. +3 more
We have analyzed scattered light profiles from the Cassini Imaging Science Subsystem, taken at the limb and at several large phase angles. We also used results from an occultation observed by Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph in the ultraviolet. We found that particles responsible for the scattering in the detached haze have an effective radius aro…
Formation of a Propeller Structure by a Moonlet in a Dense Planetary Ring
Kokubo, Eiichiro; Michikoshi, Shugo
The Cassini spacecraft discovered a propeller-shaped structure in Saturn's A ring. This propeller structure is thought to be formed by gravitational scattering of ring particles by an unseen embedded moonlet. Self-gravity wakes are prevalent in dense rings due to gravitational instability. Strong gravitational wakes affect the propeller structure.…
Oxidizing Proto-atmosphere on Titan: Constraint from N2 Formation by Impact Shock
Mousis, Olivier; Sekine, Yasuhito; Matsui, Takafumi +1 more
Titan is the only satellite that possesses a thick atmosphere, composed mainly of N2 and CH4. However, its origin and evolution remain largely unknown. Knowledge of the acquirement of a N2 atmosphere on Titan would provide insights into nitrogen evolution in planetary atmospheres as well as the formation of satelli…