Ion Neutral Mass Spectrometer results from the first flyby of Titan

J. Hunter Waite, Hasso Niemann, Roger V. Yelle, Wayne T. Kasprzak, Thomas E. Cravens, Janet G. Luhmann, Ralph L. McNutt, Wing Huen Ip, David Gell, Virginie De La Haye, Ingo Müller-Wordag, Brian Magee, Nathan Borggren, Steve Ledvina, Greg Fletcher, Erin Walter, Ryan Miller, Stefan Scherer, Rob Thorpe, Jing XuBruce Block, Ken Arnett

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

388 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Cassini Ion Neutral Mass Spectrometer (INMS) has obtained the first in situ composition measurements of the neutral densities of molecular nitrogen, methane, molecular hydrogen, argon, and a host of stable carbon-nitrite compounds in Titan's upper atmosphere. INMS in situ mass spectrometry has also provided evidence for atmospheric waves in the upper atmosphere and the first direct measurements of isotopes of nitrogen, carbon, and argon, which reveal interesting clues about the evolution of the atmosphere. The bulk composition and thermal structure of the moon's upper atmosphere do not appear to have changed considerably since the Voyager 1 flyby.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)982-986
Number of pages5
JournalScience
Volume308
Issue number5724
DOIs
StatePublished - May 13 2005

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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