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The abundances of constituents of Titan's atmosphere from the GCMS instrument on the Huygens probe

Author

Listed:
  • H. B. Niemann

    (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)

  • S. K. Atreya

    (University of Michigan)

  • S. J. Bauer

    (University of Graz)

  • G. R. Carignan

    (University of Michigan)

  • J. E. Demick

    (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)

  • R. L. Frost

    (University of Alabama, CMC)

  • D. Gautier

    (LESIA, Observatoire de Paris-Meudon)

  • J. A. Haberman

    (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)

  • D. N. Harpold

    (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)

  • D. M. Hunten

    (University of Arizona)

  • G. Israel

    (Service d'Aéronomie du CNRS, F-91371 Verrières le Buisson Cedex)

  • J. I. Lunine

    (University of Arizona)

  • W. T. Kasprzak

    (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)

  • T. C. Owen

    (University of Hawaii)

  • M. Paulkovich

    (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)

  • F. Raulin

    (Université Paris 12 et Paris 7)

  • E. Raaen

    (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)

  • S. H. Way

    (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)

Abstract

Saturn's largest moon, Titan, remains an enigma, explored only by remote sensing from Earth, and by the Voyager and Cassini spacecraft. The most puzzling aspects include the origin of the molecular nitrogen and methane in its atmosphere, and the mechanism(s) by which methane is maintained in the face of rapid destruction by photolysis. The Huygens probe, launched from the Cassini spacecraft, has made the first direct observations of the satellite's surface and lower atmosphere. Here we report direct atmospheric measurements from the Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GCMS), including altitude profiles of the constituents, isotopic ratios and trace species (including organic compounds). The primary constituents were confirmed to be nitrogen and methane. Noble gases other than argon were not detected. The argon includes primordial 36Ar, and the radiogenic isotope 40Ar, providing an important constraint on the outgassing history of Titan. Trace organic species, including cyanogen and ethane, were found in surface measurements.

Suggested Citation

  • H. B. Niemann & S. K. Atreya & S. J. Bauer & G. R. Carignan & J. E. Demick & R. L. Frost & D. Gautier & J. A. Haberman & D. N. Harpold & D. M. Hunten & G. Israel & J. I. Lunine & W. T. Kasprzak & T. C, 2005. "The abundances of constituents of Titan's atmosphere from the GCMS instrument on the Huygens probe," Nature, Nature, vol. 438(7069), pages 779-784, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:438:y:2005:i:7069:d:10.1038_nature04122
    DOI: 10.1038/nature04122
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