Evidence for a polar ethane cloud on Titan

C. A. Griffith; P. Penteado; P. Rannou; R. Brown; V. Boudon; K. H. Baines; R. Clark; P. Drossart; B. Buratti; P. Nicholson; C. P. McKay; A. Coustenis; A. Negrao; R. Jaumann

doi:10.1126/science.1128245

Evidence for a polar ethane cloud on Titan

C. A. Griffith, P. Penteado, P. Rannou, R. Brown, V. Boudon, K. H. Baines, R. Clark, P. Drossart, B. Buratti, P. Nicholson, C. P. McKay, A. Coustenis, A. Negrao, R. Jaumann

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Abstract

Spectra from Cassini's Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer reveal the presence of a vast tropospheric cloud on Titan at latitudes 51° to 68° north and all longitudes observed (10° to 190° west). The derived characteristics indicate that this cloud is composed of ethane and forms as a result of stratospheric subsidence and the particularly cool conditions near the moon's north pole. Preferential condensation of ethane, perhaps as ice, at Titan's poles during the winters may partially explain the lack of liquid ethane oceans on Titan's surface at middle and lower latitudes.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	1620-1622
Number of pages	3
Journal	Science
Volume	313
Issue number	5793
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1128245
State	Published - Sep 15 2006

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abstract = "Spectra from Cassini's Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer reveal the presence of a vast tropospheric cloud on Titan at latitudes 51° to 68° north and all longitudes observed (10° to 190° west). The derived characteristics indicate that this cloud is composed of ethane and forms as a result of stratospheric subsidence and the particularly cool conditions near the moon's north pole. Preferential condensation of ethane, perhaps as ice, at Titan's poles during the winters may partially explain the lack of liquid ethane oceans on Titan's surface at middle and lower latitudes.",

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T1 - Evidence for a polar ethane cloud on Titan

AU - Griffith, C. A.

AU - Penteado, P.

AU - Rannou, P.

AU - Brown, R.

AU - Boudon, V.

AU - Baines, K. H.

AU - Clark, R.

AU - Drossart, P.

AU - Buratti, B.

AU - Nicholson, P.

AU - McKay, C. P.

AU - Coustenis, A.

AU - Negrao, A.

AU - Jaumann, R.

PY - 2006/9/15

Y1 - 2006/9/15

N2 - Spectra from Cassini's Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer reveal the presence of a vast tropospheric cloud on Titan at latitudes 51° to 68° north and all longitudes observed (10° to 190° west). The derived characteristics indicate that this cloud is composed of ethane and forms as a result of stratospheric subsidence and the particularly cool conditions near the moon's north pole. Preferential condensation of ethane, perhaps as ice, at Titan's poles during the winters may partially explain the lack of liquid ethane oceans on Titan's surface at middle and lower latitudes.

AB - Spectra from Cassini's Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer reveal the presence of a vast tropospheric cloud on Titan at latitudes 51° to 68° north and all longitudes observed (10° to 190° west). The derived characteristics indicate that this cloud is composed of ethane and forms as a result of stratospheric subsidence and the particularly cool conditions near the moon's north pole. Preferential condensation of ethane, perhaps as ice, at Titan's poles during the winters may partially explain the lack of liquid ethane oceans on Titan's surface at middle and lower latitudes.

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Evidence for a polar ethane cloud on Titan

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