Year: 2009
Type: article
Abstract: Hundreds of radar-dark patches interpreted as lakes have been discovered in the north and south polar regions of Titan. We have estimated the composition of these lakes by using the direct abundance measurements from the Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer aboard the Huygens probe and recent photochemical models based on the vertical temperature profile derived by the Huygens Atmospheric Structure Instrument. Thermodynamic equilibrium is assumed between the atmosphere and the lakes, which are also considered nonideal solutions. We find that the main constituents of the lakes are ethane (C 2 H 6 ) (∼76%–79%), propane (C 3 H 8 ) (∼7%–8%), methane (CH 4 ) (∼5%–10%), hydrogen cyanide (HCN) (∼2%–3%), butene (C 4 H 8 ) (∼1%), butane (C 4 H 10 ) (∼1%), and acetylene (C 2 H 2 ) (∼1%). The calculated composition of lakes is then substantially different from what has been expected from models elaborated prior to the exploration of Titan by the Cassini–Huygens spacecraft.
Source: The Astrophysical Journal
Institutions: Université Européenne de Bretagne, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes, Institut de Physique de Rennes, École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes, Université Rennes 1, Université de Rennes, University of Arizona, Institut UTINAM, Université de Franche-Comté, Université Joseph Fourier, Institut de Planétologie et d'Astrophysique de Grenoble
Language: English
Topic: Astro and Planetary Science
Subfield: Space and Planetary Science
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2170320163