scholarly journals Chemical interactions between Saturn’s atmosphere and its rings

Science ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 362 (6410) ◽  
pp. eaat2382 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Waite ◽  
R. S. Perryman ◽  
M. E. Perry ◽  
K. E. Miller ◽  
J. Bell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Monoxide ◽  
Volatile Compounds ◽  
Mass Spectrometer ◽  
Chemical Interaction ◽  
Molecular Nitrogen ◽  
Upper Atmosphere ◽  
Atmospheric Structure ◽  
Ring Composition ◽  
Methane Carbon

The Pioneer and Voyager spacecraft made close-up measurements of Saturn’s ionosphere and upper atmosphere in the 1970s and 1980s that suggested a chemical interaction between the rings and atmosphere. Exploring this interaction provides information on ring composition and the influence on Saturn’s atmosphere from infalling material. The Cassini Ion Neutral Mass Spectrometer sampled in situ the region between the D ring and Saturn during the spacecraft’s Grand Finale phase. We used these measurements to characterize the atmospheric structure and material influx from the rings. The atmospheric He/H2 ratio is 10 to 16%. Volatile compounds from the rings (methane; carbon monoxide and/or molecular nitrogen), as well as larger organic-bearing grains, are flowing inward at a rate of 4800 to 45,000 kilograms per second.

scholarly journals Titan's exosphere and its interaction with Saturn's magnetosphere

2008 ◽  
Vol 367 (1889) ◽  
pp. 743-752 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iannis Dandouras ◽  
Philippe Garnier ◽  
Donald G Mitchell ◽  
Edmond C Roelof ◽  
Pontus C Brandt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Charge Exchange ◽  
Mass Spectrometer ◽  
Upper Atmosphere ◽  
Neutral Atoms ◽  
Energetic Ions ◽  
Imaging Instrument ◽  
Singly Charged

Titan's nitrogen-rich atmosphere is directly bombarded by energetic ions, due to its lack of a significant intrinsic magnetic field. Singly charged energetic ions from Saturn's magnetosphere undergo charge-exchange collisions with neutral atoms in Titan's upper atmosphere, or exosphere, being transformed into energetic neutral atoms (ENAs). The ion and neutral camera, one of the three sensors that comprise the magnetosphere imaging instrument (MIMI) on the Cassini/Huygens mission to Saturn and Titan, images these ENAs like photons, and measures their fluxes and energies. These remote-sensing measurements, combined with the in situ measurements performed in the upper thermosphere and in the exosphere by the ion and neutral mass spectrometer instrument, provide a powerful diagnostic of Titan's exosphere and its interaction with the Kronian magnetosphere. These observations are analysed and some of the exospheric features they reveal are modelled.

In-situ-produced methane and methane/carbon monoxide mixtures for return propulsion from Mars

1995 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1056-1062 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas A. Sullivan ◽  
Diane Linne ◽  
Lee Bryant ◽  
Kriss Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Monoxide ◽  
Methane Carbon

Development of an In-Situ Mass Spectrometer for Stable Isotope Analysis

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. T. Short ◽  
Gottfried P. Kibelka ◽  
Robert H. Byrne ◽  
David Hollander
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Mass Spectrometer ◽  
Stable Isotope Analysis ◽  
Isotope Analysis

scholarly journals An Atmospheric Origin for HCN-Derived Polymers on Titan

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 965
Author(s):  
Zoé Perrin ◽  
Nathalie Carrasco ◽  
Audrey Chatain ◽  
Lora Jovanovic ◽  
Ludovic Vettier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Gas Phase ◽  
Formation Process ◽  
Upper Atmosphere ◽  
Gas Mixture ◽  
Space Probe ◽  
Atmospheric Haze ◽  
Formation And Evolution ◽  
Haze Formation

Titan’s haze is strongly suspected to be an HCN-derived polymer, but despite the first in situ measurements by the ESA-Huygens space probe, its chemical composition and formation process remain largely unknown. To investigate this question, we simulated the atmospheric haze formation process, experimentally. We synthesized analogues of Titan’s haze, named Titan tholins, in an irradiated N2–CH4 gas mixture, mimicking Titan’s upper atmosphere chemistry. HCN was monitored in situ in the gas phase simultaneously with the formation and evolution of the haze particles. We show that HCN is produced as long as the particles are absent, and is then progressively consumed when the particles appear and grow. This work highlights HCN as an effective precursor of Titan’s haze and confirms the HCN-derived polymer nature of the haze.

A portable mass spectrometer for direct monitoring of gases and volatile compounds in air and water samples

2011 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 390-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. T. Kogan ◽  
D. S. Lebedev ◽  
A. K. Pavlov ◽  
Yu. V. Chichagov ◽  
A. S. Antonov
Keyword(s):  
Volatile Compounds ◽  
Mass Spectrometer ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Portable Mass Spectrometer

Support and Gas Environment Effects on the Preferential Oxidation of Carbon Monoxide over Co3O4 Catalysts Studied in situ

2021 ◽  
pp. 120450
Author(s):  
Thulani M. Nyathi ◽  
Mohamed I. Fadlalla ◽  
Nico Fischer ◽  
Andrew P.E. York ◽  
Ezra J. Olivier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Monoxide ◽  
Preferential Oxidation ◽  
Environment Effects ◽  
Gas Environment ◽  
Oxidation Of Carbon Monoxide
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