The D/H Ratio in Methane in Titan: Origin and History

We propose a new interpretation of the D/H ratio in CH₄ observed in the atmosphere of Titan. Using a turbulent evolutionary model of the subnebula of Saturn (O. Mousis et al. 2002, Icarus156, 162-175), we show that in contrast to the current scenario, the deuterium enrichment with respect to the solar value observed in Titan cannot have occurred in the subnebula. Instead, we argue that values of the D/H ratio measured in Titan were obtained in the cooling solar nebula by isotopic thermal exchange of hydrogen with CH₃D originating from interstellar methane D-enriched ices that vaporized in the nebula. The rate of the isotopic exchange decreased with temperature and became fully inhibited around 200 K. Methane was subsequently trapped in crystalline ices around 10 AU in the form of clathrate hydrates formed at 60 K, and incorporated into planetesimals that formed the core of Titan. The nitrogen-methane atmosphere was subsequently outgassed from the decomposition of the hydrates (Mousis et al. 2002). By use of a turbulent evolutionary model of the solar nebula (O. Mousis et al. 2000, Icarus148, 513-525), we have reconstructed the entire story of D/H in CH₄, from its high value in the early solar nebula (acquired in the presolar cloud) down to the value measured in Titan's atmosphere today. Considering the two last determinations of the D/H ratio in Titan—D/H=(7.75±2.25)×10⁻⁵ obtained from ground-based observations (Orton 1992, In: Symposium on Titan, ESA SP-338, pp. 81-85), and D/H=(8.75^+3.25_−2.25)×10⁻⁵, obtained from ISO observations (Coustenis et al. 2002, submitted for publication)—we inferred an upper limit of the D/H ratio in methane in the early outer solar nebula of about 3×10⁻⁴. Our approach is consistent with the scenario advocated by several authors in which the atmospheric methane of Titan is continuously replenished from a reservoir of clathrate hydrates of CH₄ at high pressures, located in the interior of Titan. If this scenario is correct, observations of the satellite to be performed by the radar, the imaging system, and other remote sensing instruments aboard the spacecraft of the Cassini-Huygens mission from 2004 to 2008 should reveal local disruptions of the surface and other signatures of the predicted outgassing.     

On the sources of ultraviolet absorption in spectra of Titan and the outer planets

In response to the observations of the ultravioler deficiencies shown by all of the outer planets and Titan, models have been proposed to explain the low albedos by absorption by particles in the upper atmospheres of these objects. These particles are generally believed to be photochemically formed from gases in the upper atmospheres, primarily methane and hydrogen. Such processes may also be operative on Titan. The results of some laboratory experiments of the proton irradiation of mixtures of gases including CH₄ H₂, NH₃, etc., have shown that liquid and solid materials are produced that are strong ultraviolet absorbers. However, the material produced from the CH₄ + H₂ mixture was colorless, indicating that species containing elements other than carbon and hydrogen are necessary for the production of color. Two such elements are nitrogen (as NH₃ or N₂) and sulfur (as H₂S) and colored materials have been produced from such mixtures. None of these materials has spectral properties identical to those shown by the planets. Therefore it is necessary that mixtures (and/or cloud layers) of the photochemical materials be present.     

An Evolutionary Turbulent Model of Saturn's Subnebula: Implications for the Origin of the Atmosphere of Titan

We have elaborated an evolutionary turbulent model of the subnebula of Saturn derived from that of Dubrulle (1993, Icarus106, 59-76) for the solar nebula, which is valid for a geometrically thin disk. We demonstrate that if carbon and nitrogen were in the form of CO and N₂, respectively, in the early subnebula, these molecules were not subsequently converted into CH₄ and NH₃ during the evolution of the disk, contrary to the current scenario initially proposed by Prinn and Fegley (1981, Astrophys. J., 249, 308-317). However, if the early subnebula contained some CH₄ and NH₃, these gases were not subsequently converted into CO and N₂. We argue that Titan must have been formed from planetesimals migrating from the outer part of the subnebula to the present orbit of the satellite. These planetesimals were relics of those embedded in the feeding zone of Saturn prior to the completion of the planet and contained hydrates of NH₃ and clathrate hydrates of CH₄. It is shown that, for plausible abundances of CH₄ and NH₃ in the solar nebula at 10 AU, the masses of methane and nitrogen trapped in Titan were higher than the estimate of masses of these components in the primitive atmosphere of the satellite. If our scenario is valid and if our turbulent model properly describes the structure and the evolution of the actual subnebula of Saturn, the Xe/C ratio should be six times higher in Titan's atmosphere today than in the Sun, while the current scenario would probably result in a quasi solar Xe/C ratio. The mass spectrometer and gas chromatograph instrument aboard the Huygens Titan probe of the Cassini mission has the capability of measuring this ratio in 2004, thus permitting us to discriminate between the current scenario and the one proposed in this report.     

On the C/H and D/H ratios in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn

Using a method defined in a previous paper [M. Combes and T. Encrenaz, Icarus39 1–27 (1979)], we reestimated the C/H ratio in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn by the measurements of the weak visible CH₄ bands, the CH₄ 3ν₃ band, and the (3-0) and (4-0) quadrupole bands of H₂. In the case of Jupiter we conclude that the C/H ratio is enriched by a factor ranging from 1.7 to 3.6 relative to the solar value. In the case of Saturn, our derived C/H value ranges from 1.2 to 3.2 times the solar value. The Jovian D/H ratio derived from this study is 1.2 × 10^?5 < D/H < 3.1 × 10^?5. The value derived for the D/H ratio on Saturn is not precise enough to be conclusive.     

Another look at atmospheric dynamics on Titan and some of its general consequences

Mean wind velocities, U, and horizontal temperature differences, δT, are estimated for the Titan atmosphere using the similarity theory of the author. It is found that U is of order 1 m/sec and δT ～ 0.1 K. The last value agrees with its estimate by Leovy and Pollack (1973, Icarus19, 195–201); however the values of U are an order of magnitude less. While analyzing the causes of the difference it is found that the circulation models developed in I overestimate considerably the atmospheric efficiency in transformation of solar energy into the kinetic energy of motions. Possible reasons for such an overestimate are discussed. We conclude that the efficiency coefficient is a very sensitive characteristic of a circulation regime and that its determination is an efficient means for checking the correspondence of various circulation models with reality. Arguments are presented stressing the conclusion of I that the Titan atmospheric circulation is in the Hadley symmetric regime, which is strongly influenced by the satellite's own rotation. At the same time a thermal tide should be a noticeable feature of the circulation. In the upper part of the Titan atmosphere something like the phenomenon of the 4-day Venus circulation may be developed. It is noted that the analogy between the Titan and Venus atmospheric circulations might be a very close one.     

Red clouds in reducing atmospheres

A dark reddish-brown high-molecular-weight polymer is produced by long wavelength ultraviolet irradiation of abundant gases in reducing planetary atmospheres. The polymer i examined by paper chromatography, mass spectrometry, and infrared, visible, and ultraviolet spectroscopy. High carbon-number straight-chain alkanes with NH₂ and, probably, OH and CO groups are identified, along with the previously reported amino acids. There are chemical similarities between this polymer and organic compounds recovered from carbonaceous chondrites and precambrian sediments. The visible and near-ultraviolet transmission spectrum of the polymer shows its absorption optical depth to be redder than λ^?2 and perhaps similar in coloration to the clouds of Jupiter, Saturn, and Titan. The near-ultraviolet absorption coefficient is ～10³ cm^?1, and typical grain sizes ～30 μm. The nitrile content is small, and the polymer should be semitransparent in the 5 μm atmospheric window. Such polymers may be a common constituent of clouds in the outer solar system and on the early Earth.     

Carbon Monoxide on Jupiter: Evidence for Both Internal and External Sources

Thirteen lines of the CO band near 4.7 μm have been observed on a jovian hot spot at a resolution of 0.045 cm⁻¹. The measured line profiles indicate that the CO mole fraction is 1.0±0.2 ppb around the 6-bar level and is larger in the upper troposphere and/or stratosphere. An external source of CO providing an abundance of 4⁺³₋₂×10¹⁶ molecules cm⁻² is implied by the observations in addition to the amount deposited at high altitude by the Shoemaker-Levy 9 collision. From a simple diffusion model, we estimate that the CO production rate is (1.5-10)×10⁶ molecules cm⁻² s⁻¹ assuming an eddy diffusion coefficient around the tropopause between 300 and 1500 cm² s⁻¹. Precipitation of oxygen atoms from the jovian magnetosphere or photochemistry of water vapor from meteoroidal material can only provide a negligible contribution to this amount. A significant fraction of the CO in Jupiter's upper atmosphere may be formed by shock chemistry due to the infall of kilometer- to subkilometer-size Jupiter family comets. Using the impact rate from Levison et al. (2000, Icarus143, 415-420) rescaled by Bottke et al. (2002, Icarus156, 399-433), this source can provide the observed stratospheric CO only if the eddy diffusion coefficient around the tropopause is 100-300 cm² s⁻¹. Higher values, ∼700 cm² s⁻¹, would require an impact rate larger by a factor of 5-10, which cannot be excluded considering uncertainties in the distribution of Jupiter family comets. Such a large rate is indeed consistent with the observed cratering record of the Galilean satellites (Zahnle et al. 1998, Icarus136, 202-222). On the other hand, the ∼1 ppb concentration in the lower troposphere requires an internal source. Revisiting the disequilibrium chemistry of CO in Jupiter, we conclude that rapid vertical mixing can provide the required amount of CO at ∼6 bar for a global oxygen abundance of 0.2-9 times the solar value considering the uncertainties in the convective mixing rate and in the chemical constants.     

The albedo of Titan

The irradiance of Titan has been measured from 0.50 to 1.08μ in 30 Å band-passes spaced 0.01–0.02μ apart. Geometric albedos have been computed at the wavelenghts of measurement using a standard solar flux distribution after Labs and Neckel. The maximum value of p_λ(0) is 0.37 at 0.68, 0.75, and 0.834μ, the minimum value, in the centers of the strongest methane absorption bands, is 0.10 at 0.887 and 1.012μ.The brightness of Titan at the time of the present measurements has been compared with that of previous modern photoelectric measurements. Within the apparent consistency of the different photoelectric systems, the brightness of Titan appears to undergo changes with time.A provisional curve of the geometric albedo from 0.30 to 4.0μ has been made by combining the present results with those of other authors, i.e., relative measurements of Titan from 0.30 to 0.50μ, and measurements of Jupiter and Saturn from 1.08 to 4.00μ. The latter are used to estimate the strengths of the methane absorption bands of Titan in that spectral range. The bolometric geometric albedo, $\text{p}{}^1\text{(0)}$, is computed to be 0.21. A variety of current measurements of Titan indicate a substantial atmosphere, suggesting a value of the phase integral $\text{q}\text{= 1.30 ± 0.20}$. The bolometric Bond albedo, $\text{A}{}^1$, is then 0.27 ± 0.04, giving an effective radiative temperature T_e= 84 ± 2°K.The absorption band contours of Titan have been compared with those of Jupiter and Saturn at the same resolution. The bands of the planets are known to be due primarily to methane, and they show a very regular relationship, with those of Saturn being consistently deeper and wider. For Titan, the strengths of the bands are equal or less than those of Jupiter in the band centers, while the wings are stronger than those of Saturn.Previous photoelectric and photographic spectra have been examined for evidence of temporal variation of the methane path length in the atmosphere of Titan. Differences in measurement techniques prohibit detection of small differences. The only potential differences beyond experimental uncertainties are those of Kuiper (1944) and Harris (mid-fifties). Taking Kuiper's results at face value, Titan appears to have a shorter methane path length in 1972. Harris's results can be reconciled only by the doubtful hypothesis of an almost complete absence of methane at that time.     

Formation of the regular satellites of giant planets in an extended gaseous nebula I: subnebula model and accretion of satellites

We model the subnebulae of Jupiter and Saturn wherein satellite accretion took place. We expect each giant planet subnebula to be composed of an optically thick (given gaseous opacity) inner region inside of the planet’s centrifugal radius (where the specific angular momentum of the collapsing giant planet gaseous envelope achieves centrifugal balance, located at rCJ ∼ 15R_J for Jupiter and rCS ∼ 22R_S for Saturn) and an optically thin, extended outer disk out to a fraction of the planet’s Roche-lobe (R_H), which we choose to be ∼R_H/5 (located at ∼150 R_J near the inner irregular satellites for Jupiter, and ∼200R_S near Phoebe for Saturn). This places Titan and Ganymede in the inner disk, Callisto and Iapetus in the outer disk, and Hyperion in the transition region. The inner disk is the leftover of the gas accreted by the protoplanet. The outer disk may result from the nebula gas flowing into the protoplanet during the time of giant planet gap-opening (or cessation of gas accretion). For the sake of specificity, we use a solar composition “minimum mass” model to constrain the gas densities of the inner and outer disks of Jupiter and Saturn (and also Uranus). Our model has Ganymede at a subnebula temperature of ∼250 K and Titan at ∼100 K. The outer disks of Jupiter and Saturn have constant temperatures of 130 and 90 K, respectively.Our model has Callisto forming in a time scale ∼10⁶ years, Iapetus in 10⁶-10⁷ years, Ganymede in 10³-10⁴ years, and Titan in 10⁴-10⁵ years. Callisto takes much longer to form than Ganymede because it draws materials from the extended, low density portion of the disk; its accretion time scale is set by the inward drift times of satellitesimals with sizes 300-500 km from distances ∼100R_J. This accretion history may be consistent with a partially differentiated Callisto with a ∼300-km clean ice outer shell overlying a mixed ice and rock-metal interior as suggested by Anderson et al. (2001), which may explain the Ganymede-Callisto dichotomy without resorting to fine-tuning poorly known model parameters. It is also possible that particulate matter coupled to the high specific angular momentum gas flowing through the gap after giant planet gap-opening, capture of heliocentric planetesimals by the extended gas disk, or ablation of planetesimals passing through the disk contributes to the solid content of the disk and lengthens the time scale for Callisto’s formation. Furthermore, this model has Hyperion forming just outside Saturn’s centrifugal radius, captured into resonance by proto-Titan in the presence of a strong gas density gradient as proposed by Lee and Peale (2000). While Titan may have taken significantly longer to form than Ganymede, it still formed fast enough that we would expect it to be fully differentiated. In this sense, it is more like Ganymede than like Callisto (Saturn’s analog of Callisto, we expect, is Iapetus). An alternative starved disk model whose satellite accretion time scale for all the regular satellites is set by the feeding of planetesimals or gas from the planet’s Roche-lobe after gap-opening is likely to imply a long accretion time scale for Titan with small quantities of NH₃ present, leading to a partially differentiated (Callisto-like) Titan. The Cassini mission may resolve this issue conclusively. We briefly discuss the retention of elements more volatile than H₂O as well as other issues that may help to test our model.     

Acetylene photopolymers in Jupiter's stratosphere

Laboratory data on the rate of photolytic polymerization of acetylene, highly diluted with hydrogen, at the pressure range of the Jovian stratosphere is presented. It is shown that this rate is sufficient to maintain the stratospheric aerosol haze which was observed on Jupiter by Smith et al. (1977, Icarus30).     

Possible production by lightning of aerosols and trace gases in Titan's atmosphere

Although lightning has not yet been observed in Titan's atmosphere, the presence of condensable vapors and the deposition of a significant amount of solar energy at the surface suggest the possibility of lightning activity. Based on an understanding of the relationship of lightning activity to the amount of convective energy available on Titan, a lightning energy dissipation rate of 4 × 10^?6, W/m² can be expected. This value is much lower than that for Earth or Jupiter, and is a result of both the reduced solar flux at Titan and the absorption of sunlight by the aerosols that lie above the convective layer. For this dissipation rate, the amount of HCN and C₂N₂ produced by lightning should be greater than that by solar UV, but could be less than that produced by electron precipitation and galactic cosmic rays. Equilibrium calculations indicate that large mole fractions of elemental solid phase carbon will also be produced. Using a simplified model of aerosol formation, coagulation, and settling, it is estimated that a lightning-produced aerosol could have a typical optical depth of 10^?2, with values as high as 0.1. The accumulation of soot over geological time might reach a meter or more in depth.     

A calculation of Saturn's gravitational contraction history

A calculation has been made of the gravitational contraction of a homogeneous, quasi-equilibrium Saturn model of solar composition. The calculations begin at a time when the planet's radius is ten times larger than its present size, and the subsequent gravitational contraction is followed for 4.5 × 10⁹ years. For the first million years of evolution, the Saturn model contracts rapidly like a pre-main sequence star and has a much higher luminosity and effective temperature than at present. Later stages of contraction occur more slowly and are analogous to the cooling phase of a degenerate white dwarf star.Examination of the interior structure of the models indicates the presence of a metallic hydrogen region near the center of the planet. Differences in the size of this region for Jupiter and Saturn may, in part, be responsible for Saturn having a weaker magnetic field. While the interior temperatures are much too high for the fluids in the molecular and metallic regions to become solids by the current epoch, the temperature in the outer portion of the metallic zone falls below Stevenson's [Phys. Rev. J. (1975)] phase separation curve for helium after 1.2 billion years of evolution. This would lead to a sinking of helium from the outer to the inner portion of the metallic region, as described by Salpeter [Astrophys. J.181, L83–L86 (1973)].At the current epoch, the radius of the model is about 9% larger, while its excess luminosity is comparable to the observed value of Rieke [Icarus26, 37–44 (1975)], as refined by Wright [Harvard College Obs. Preprint No. 480 (1976)]. This behavior of the Saturn model may be compared to the good agreement with both Jupiter's observed radius and excess luminosity shown by an analogous model of Jupiter [Graboske et al., Astrophys. J.199, 255–264 (1975)]. The discrepancy in radius of our Saturn model may be due to errors in the equations of state and/or our neglect of a rocky core. However, arguments are presented which indicate that helium separation may cause an expansion of the model and thus lead to an even bigger discrepancy in radius. Improvement in the radius may also foster a somewhat larger predicted luminosity. At least part and perhaps most of Saturn's excess luminosity is due to the loss of internal thermal energy that was built up during the early rapid contraction, with a minor contribution coming from Saturn's present rate of contraction. These two sources dominate Jupiter's excess luminosity. If helium separation makes an important contribution to Saturn's excess luminosity, then planetwide segregation is required.Finally, because Saturn's early high luminosity was about an order of magnitude smaller than Jupiter's, water-ice satellites may have been able to form closer to Saturn to Jupiter.     

The effect of dense cores on the structure and evolution of Jupiter and Saturn

We have calculated evolutionary and static models of Jupiter and Saturn with homogeneous solar composition mantles and dense cores of material consisting of solar abundances of SiO₂, MgO, Fe, and Ni. Evolutionary sequences for Jupiter were calculated with cores of mass 2, 4, 6, and 8% of the Jovian mass. Evolutionary sequences for Saturn were calculated with cores of mass 16, 18, 20, and 22% of total mass. Two envelope mixtures, representative of the solar abundances were used: X (mass fraction of hydrogen) = 0.74, Y (mass fraction of helium) = 0.24 and X = 0.77 and Y = 0.21. For Jupiter, the observations of the temperature at 1 bar pressure (T_1bar), radius and internal luminosity were best fit by evolutionary models with a core mass of ～6.5% and chemical composition of X = 0.77, Y = 0.21. The calculated cooling time for Jupiter is approximately 4.9 × 10⁹ years, which is consistent, within our error bars, with the known age of the solar system. For Saturn, the observations of the radius, internal luminosity and T_1BAR can be best fit by evolutionary models with a core mass of ～21% and chemical composition of X = 0.77, Y = 0.21. The cooling time calculated for Saturn is approximately 2.6 × 10⁹ years, almost a factor 2 less than the present age of the solar system. Static models of Jupiter and Saturn were calculated for the above chemical compositions in order to investigate the sensitivity of the calculated gravitational moments, J₂ and J₄, to the mass of the dense core, T_1BAR and hydrogen/helium ratio. We find for Jupiter that a model having a core mass of approximately 7% gives values of J₂, J₄, and T_1BAR that are within observational limits, for the mixture X = 0.77, Y = 0.21. The static Jupiter models are completely consistent with the evolutionary results. For Saturn, the quantities J₂, J₄, and J₆ determined from the static models with the most probable T_1BAR of 140°K, using modeling procedures which result in consistent models for Jupiter, are considerably below the observed values.     

The atmospheric composition and structure of Jupiter and Saturn from ISO observations: a preliminary review

Infrared spectra of Jupiter and Saturn have been recorded with the two spectrometers of the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) in 1995–1998, in the 2.3–180 μm range. Both the grating modes (R=150–2000) and the Fabry-Pérot modes (R=8000–30,000) of the two instruments were used. The main results of these observations are (1) the detection of water vapour in the deep troposphere of Saturn; (2) the detection of new hydrocarbons (CH₃C₂H, C₄H₂, C₆H₆, CH₃) in Saturn’s stratosphere; (3) the detection of water vapour and carbon dioxide in the stratospheres of Jupiter and Saturn; (4) a new determination of the D/H ratio from the detection of HD rotational lines. The origin of the external oxygen source on Jupiter and Saturn (also found in the other giant planets and Titan in comparable amounts) may be either interplanetary (micrometeoritic flux) or local (rings and/or satellites). The D/H determination in Jupiter, comparable to Saturn’s result, is in agreement with the recent measurement by the Galileo probe (Mahaffy, P.R., Donahue, T.M., Atreya, S.K., Owen, T.C., Niemann, H.B., 1998. Galileo probe measurements of D/H and ³He/⁴He in Jupiters atmosphere. Space Science Rev. 84 251–263); the D/H values on Uranus and Neptune are significantly higher, as expected from current models of planetary formation.     

Interpretation of the 6818.9-Å methane feature observed on Jupiter,Saturn, and Uranus

High-resolution (0.1-Å) spectra of the 6818.9-Å methane feature obtained for Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus by K. H. Baines, W. V. Schempp, and W. H. Smith ((1983). Icarus56, 534–542) are modeled using a doubling and adding code after J. H. Hansen ((1969). Astrophys. J.155, 565–573). The feature's rotational quantum number is estimated using the relatively homogeneous atmosphere of Saturn, with only J = 0 and J = 1 fitting the observational constraints. The aerosol content within Saturn's northern temperate region is shown to be substantially less than at the equator, indicating a haze only half as optically thick. Models of Jupiter's atmosphere are consistent with the rotational quantum-number assignment. Synthetic line profiles of the 6818.9-Å feature observed on Uranus reveal that a substantial haze exists at or above the methane condensation region with an optical depth eight times greater than previously reported. Seasonal effects are indicated. The methane column abundance is 5 ± 1 km-am. The mixing ratio of methane to hydrogen within the deep unsaturated region of the planet is 0.045 ± 0.025, based on an H₂ column abundance of 240 ± 60 km-am (W. H. Smith, W. Macy, and C. B. Pilcher (1980). Icarus43, 153–160), thus indicating that the methane comprises between one-sixth and one-half of the planet's mass. However, proper reevaluation of H₂ quadrupole features accounting for the haze reported here may significantly reduce the relative methane abundance.     

Stability of Pluto's atmosphere

L. Trafton (1980, Icarus44, 53–61) has pointed out that a substantial methane atmosphere, observed on Pluto by U. Fink, B.A. Smith, D.C. Benner, J.R. Johnson, and H.J. Reitsema (1980, Icarus44, 62–71), appears to be unstable against blowoff. The difficulty is shown to disappear if the actual heat balance and thermal structure are considered, instead of the classic assumption that the upper atmosphere is isothermal. An energy-limited flux (referred to the surface area) of 3.9 × 10¹⁰ cm^?2 sec^?1 is found. The loss of methane ice over the age of the solar system is an acceptable 3 km.     

Deciphering the origin of the regular satellites of gaseous giants - Iapetus: The Rosetta ice-moon

Ever since their discovery the regular satellites of Jupiter and Saturn have held out the promise of providing an independent set of observations with which to test theories of planet formation. Yet elucidating their origins has proven elusive. Here we show that Iapetus can serve to discriminate between satellite formation models. Its accretion history can be understood in terms of a two-component gaseous subnebula, with a relatively dense inner region, and an extended tail out to the location of the irregular satellites, as in the SEMM model of Mosqueira and Estrada (2003a,b) (Mosqueira, I., Estrada, P.R. [2003a]. Icarus 163, 198-231; Mosqueira, I., Estrada, P.R. [2003b]. Icarus 163, 232-255). Following giant planet formation, planetesimals in the feeding zone of Jupiter and Saturn become dynamically excited, and undergo a collisional cascade. Ablation and capture of planetesimal fragments crossing the gaseous circumplanetary disks delivers enough collisional rubble to account for the mass budgets of the regular satellites of Jupiter and Saturn. This process can result in rock/ice fractionation as long as the make up of the population of disk crossers is non-homogeneous, thus offering a natural explanation for the marked compositional differences between outer solar nebula objects and those that accreted in the subnebulae of the giant planets. For a given size, icy objects are easier to capture and to ablate, likely resulting in an overall enrichment of ice in the subnebula. Furthermore, capture and ablation of rocky fragments become inefficient far from the planet for two reasons: the gas surface density of the subnebula is taken to drop outside the centrifugal radius, and the velocity of interlopers decreases with distance from the planet. Thus, rocky objects crossing the outer disks of Jupiter and Saturn never reach a temperature high enough to ablate either due to melting or vaporization, and capture is also greatly diminished there. In contrast, icy objects crossing the outer disks of each planet ablate due to the melting and vaporization of water-ice. Consequently, our model leads to an enhancement of the ice content of Iapetus, and to a lesser degree those of Titan, Callisto and Ganymede, and accounts for the (non-stochastic) compositions of these large, low-porosity outer regular satellites of Jupiter and Saturn. For this to work, the primordial population of planetesimals in the Jupiter-Saturn region must be partially differentiated, so that the ensuing collisional cascade produces an icy population of ?1 m size fragments to be ablated during subnebula crossing. We argue this is likely because the first generation of solar nebula ∼10 km planetesimals in the Jupiter-Saturn region incorporated significant quantities of ²⁶Al. This is the first study successfully to provide a direct connection between nebula planetesimals and subnebulae mixtures with quantifiable and observable consequences for the bulk properties of the regular satellites of Jupiter and Saturn, and the only explanation presently available for Iapetus’ low density and ice-rich composition.     

Iron(VI) Seems an Unlikely Explanation for Viking Labeled Release Results

Tsapin et al. (2000, Icarus147, 68-78) propose the strong oxidant ferrate(VI) to explain the Viking Labeled Release Mars life detection results. However, their data do not support that theory. Further, sensitive IR searches for oxidants on Mars found none, and Viking produced physical evidence against an oxidizing surface. Finally, Tsapin et al. (2000, Icarus147, 68-78) report no precautions to prevent microbial contamination from confounding their results.     

Formation of the regular satellites of giant planets in an extended gaseous nebula II: satellite migration and survival

For a satellite to survive in the disk the time scale of satellite migration must be longer than the time scale for gas dissipation. For large satellites (∼1000 km) migration is dominated by the gas tidal torque. We consider the possibility that the redistribution of gas in the disk due to the tidal torque of a satellite with mass larger than the inviscid critical mass causes the satellite to stall and open a gap (W.R. Ward, 1997, Icarus 26, 261-281). We adapt the inviscid critical mass criterion to include gas drag, and m-dependent nonlocal deposition of angular momentum. We find that such a model holds promise of explaining the survival of satellites in the subnebula, the mass versus distance relationship apparent in the saturnian and uranian satellite systems, the concentration of mass in Titan, and the observation that the satellites of Jupiter get rockier closer to the planet whereas those of Saturn become increasingly icy. It is also possible that either weak turbulence (close to the planet) or gap-opening satellite tidal torque removes gas on a similar time scale (10⁴-10⁵ years) as the orbital decay time of midsized (200-700 km) regular satellites forming in the inner disk (inside the centrifugal radius (I. Mosqueira and P.R. Estrada, 2003, Icarus, this issue)). We argue that Saturn’s satellite system bridges the gap between those of Jupiter and Uranus by combining the formation of a Galilean-sized satellite in a gas optically thick subnebula with a strong temperature gradient, and the formation of smaller satellites, closer to the planet, in a disk with gas optical depth ?1, and a weak temperature gradient.Using an optically thick inner disk (given gaseous opacity), and an extended, quiescent, optically thin outer disk, we show that there are regions of the disk of small net tidal torque (even zero) where satellites (Iapetus-sized or larger) may stall far from the planet. For our model these outer regions of small net tidal torque correspond roughly to the locations of Callisto and Iapetus. Though the precise location depends on the (unknown) size of the transition region between the inner and outer disks, the result that Saturn’s is found much farther out (at ∼3rcS, where rcS is Saturn’s centrifugal radius) than Jupiter’s (at ∼ 2rcJ, where rcJ is Jupiter’s centrifugal radius) is mostly due to Saturn’s less massive outer disk and larger Hill radius. However, despite the large separation between Ganymede and Callisto and Titan and Iapetus, the long formation and migration time scales for Callisto and Iapetus (I. Mosqueira and P.R. Estrada, 2003, Icarus, this issue) makes it possible (depending on the details of the damping of acoustic waves) that the tidal torque of Ganymede and Titan clears the gas disk out to their location, thus stranding Callisto and Iapetus far from the planet. Either way, our model provides an explanation for the presence of regular satellites outside the centrifugal radii of Jupiter and Saturn, and the absence of such a satellite for Uranus.     

The 12C/13C ratio in jupiter from the Voyager infrared investigation

The ¹²C/¹³C ratio in Jupiter has been derived from the analysis of the ν₄ band of CH₄ in the spectra recorded by the Voyager 1 IRIS experiment. It is found to be 160_?55⁺⁴⁰, i.e., 1.8_?0.6^+0.4 times the terrestrial value. Instrumental noise as well as systematic sources of error were taken into account for the estimate of the uncertainty. No plausible theory predicts such a difference between the values of the ¹²C/¹³C ratio in the inner solar system and in Jupiter. However, values of this ratio in the solar neighborhood 4.5 by ago inferred—through the use of models of chemical evolution of the Galaxy —from recent interstellar medium measurements are compatible with the present determination in Jupiter. The Jovian value, rather than the terrestrial one, could then be representative of the ratio in the primitive solar nebula.