Titan's lower atmosphere

Caitlin Ann Griffith

doi:10.1063/1.2790334

Titan's lower atmosphere

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Abstract

Saturn's largest moon, Titan, sports an atmosphere 10 times thicker than Earth's. Like Earth, the moon's atmosphere is N₂ based and possesses a rich organic chemistry. In addition, similar to the terrestrial hydrological cycle, Titan has a methane cycle, with methane clouds, rain and seas. Presently, there is a revolution in our understanding of the moon, as data flows in and is analyzed from the NASA and ESA Cassini-Huygens mission. For example, seas were detected only this year. Here I will discuss the evolution of our understanding of Titan's atmosphere, its composition, chemistry, dynamics and origin. Current open questions will also be presented. Studies of Titan's atmosphere began and evolved to the present state in less time than that of a single scientist's career. This short interlude of activity demonstrates the rigors of the scientific method, and raises enticing questions about the workings and evolution of an atmosphere.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	GRADUATE SCHOOL IN ASTRONOMY
Subtitle of host publication	XI Special Courses at the National Observatory of Rio de Janeiro (XI CCE)
Pages	3-36
Number of pages	34
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2790334
State	Published - 2007
Event	GRADUATE SCHOOL IN ASTRONOMY: XI Special Courses at the National Observatory of Rio de Janeiro (XI CCE) - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Duration: Oct 16 2006 → Oct 20 2006

Publication series

Name	AIP Conference Proceedings
Volume	930
ISSN (Print)	0094-243X
ISSN (Electronic)	1551-7616

Other

Other	GRADUATE SCHOOL IN ASTRONOMY: XI Special Courses at the National Observatory of Rio de Janeiro (XI CCE)
Country/Territory	Brazil
City	Rio de Janeiro
Period	10/16/06 → 10/20/06

Keywords

Atmosphere
Atmospheric Dynamics
Atmospheric Structure
Chemistry
Circidation
Origin and Evolution
Surface
Titan

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Physics and Astronomy

Access to Document

10.1063/1.2790334

Cite this

Griffith, CA 2007, Titan's lower atmosphere. in GRADUATE SCHOOL IN ASTRONOMY: XI Special Courses at the National Observatory of Rio de Janeiro (XI CCE). AIP Conference Proceedings, vol. 930, pp. 3-36, GRADUATE SCHOOL IN ASTRONOMY: XI Special Courses at the National Observatory of Rio de Janeiro (XI CCE), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 10/16/06. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2790334

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abstract = "Saturn's largest moon, Titan, sports an atmosphere 10 times thicker than Earth's. Like Earth, the moon's atmosphere is N2 based and possesses a rich organic chemistry. In addition, similar to the terrestrial hydrological cycle, Titan has a methane cycle, with methane clouds, rain and seas. Presently, there is a revolution in our understanding of the moon, as data flows in and is analyzed from the NASA and ESA Cassini-Huygens mission. For example, seas were detected only this year. Here I will discuss the evolution of our understanding of Titan's atmosphere, its composition, chemistry, dynamics and origin. Current open questions will also be presented. Studies of Titan's atmosphere began and evolved to the present state in less time than that of a single scientist's career. This short interlude of activity demonstrates the rigors of the scientific method, and raises enticing questions about the workings and evolution of an atmosphere.",

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N2 - Saturn's largest moon, Titan, sports an atmosphere 10 times thicker than Earth's. Like Earth, the moon's atmosphere is N2 based and possesses a rich organic chemistry. In addition, similar to the terrestrial hydrological cycle, Titan has a methane cycle, with methane clouds, rain and seas. Presently, there is a revolution in our understanding of the moon, as data flows in and is analyzed from the NASA and ESA Cassini-Huygens mission. For example, seas were detected only this year. Here I will discuss the evolution of our understanding of Titan's atmosphere, its composition, chemistry, dynamics and origin. Current open questions will also be presented. Studies of Titan's atmosphere began and evolved to the present state in less time than that of a single scientist's career. This short interlude of activity demonstrates the rigors of the scientific method, and raises enticing questions about the workings and evolution of an atmosphere.

AB - Saturn's largest moon, Titan, sports an atmosphere 10 times thicker than Earth's. Like Earth, the moon's atmosphere is N2 based and possesses a rich organic chemistry. In addition, similar to the terrestrial hydrological cycle, Titan has a methane cycle, with methane clouds, rain and seas. Presently, there is a revolution in our understanding of the moon, as data flows in and is analyzed from the NASA and ESA Cassini-Huygens mission. For example, seas were detected only this year. Here I will discuss the evolution of our understanding of Titan's atmosphere, its composition, chemistry, dynamics and origin. Current open questions will also be presented. Studies of Titan's atmosphere began and evolved to the present state in less time than that of a single scientist's career. This short interlude of activity demonstrates the rigors of the scientific method, and raises enticing questions about the workings and evolution of an atmosphere.

KW - Atmosphere

KW - Atmospheric Dynamics

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KW - Chemistry

KW - Circidation

KW - Origin and Evolution

KW - Surface

KW - Titan

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Titan's lower atmosphere

Abstract

Publication series

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Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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