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Corona chemistry in Titan
R Navarro-Gonzalez1, S I Ramirez, G Matrajt
1Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, DF. navarro@nuclecu.unam.mx
Uchu Seibutsu Kagaku
|September 7, 2001
Summary
Corona discharges in Titan's atmosphere create complex organic molecules like hydrocarbons and nitriles. These processes may explain the abundance of ethene and other compounds in Titan's lower atmosphere.
Area of Science:
- Planetary Science
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Astrobiology
Background:
- Titan's atmosphere is subjected to energetic particle bombardment, leading to ion and aerosol charging.
- Convective activity enhances charge separation, generating electric fields and leading to corona discharges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally investigate the chemical products of corona discharges in a simulated Titan atmosphere.
- To determine the formation yields and trends of hydrocarbons and nitriles produced by these discharges.
Main Methods:
- Simulated Titan atmosphere (10% methane, 2% argon in nitrogen) subjected to corona discharge.
- Gas Chromatography-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy-Mass Spectrometry (GC-FTIR-MS) for product identification.
- Analysis of hydrocarbon and nitrile formation over time.
Main Results:
- Identified a wide range of hydrocarbons (e.g., ethane, ethene, butane, hexane) and nitriles (e.g., hydrogen cyanide, ethanenitrile).
- Observed complex organic chemistry initiated by corona processes.
- Quantified initial formation yields and temporal trends of key products.
Conclusions:
- Corona discharges are a significant source of complex organic molecules in Titan's lower atmosphere.
- This process can adequately explain the observed abundance of ethene, which is underestimated by stratospheric models.
- Corona-produced species may be long-lived and contribute substantially to Titan's atmospheric and surface composition.