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Titan Aerosol Analogs from Aromatic Precursors: Comparisons to Cassini CIRS Observations in the Thermal InfraredSince Cassini's arrival at Titan, ppm levels of benzene (C6H6) as well as large positive ions, which may be polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). have been detected in the atmosphere. Aromatic molecules. photolytically active in the ultraviolet, may be important in the formation of the organic aerosol comprising the Titan haze layer even when present at low mixing ratios. Yet there have not been laboratory simulations exploring the impact of these molecules as precursors to Titan's organic aerosol. Observations of Titan by the Cassini Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) in the far-infrared (far-IR) between 560 and 20/cm (approx. 18 to 500 microns) and in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) between 1500 and 600/cm (approx. 7 to 17 microns) have been used to infer the vertical variations of Titan's aerosol from the surface to an altitude of 300 km in the far-IR and between 150 and 350 km in the mid-IR. Titan's aerosol has several observed emission features which cannot be reproduced using currently available optical constants from laboratory-generated Titan aerosol analogs, including a broad far-IR feature centered approximately at 140/cm (71 microns).
Document ID
20120016917
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Trainer, Melissa G. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Sebree, Joshua A. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Anderson, Carrie M. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Loeffler, Mark J. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
June 24, 2012
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Report/Patent Number
GSFC.ABS.6688.2012
Meeting Information
Meeting: 22nd V. M. Goldschmidt Conference (2012)
Location: Montreal
Country: Canada
Start Date: June 24, 2012
End Date: June 30, 2012
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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