Evidence for layered methane clouds in Titan’s troposphere |
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Authors: | Chia C. Wang Ruth Signorell |
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Affiliation: | a Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z1 b Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Space Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2143, USA |
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Abstract: | Layered methane clouds in Titan’s troposphere with an upper methane ice cloud, a lower liquid methane-nitrogen cloud, and a gap in between were suggested from in situ measurements and ground-based observations. Here we report laboratory investigations under conditions that mimic Titan’s troposphere providing a detailed picture of the cloud layers. A solid methane cloud with a nitrogen content of less than 14% and a liquid methane-nitrogen cloud with a nitrogen content of ∼30% form above ∼19 km and below ∼16 km altitude, respectively. Contrary to previous assertions, long-lived supercooled liquid methane-nitrogen droplets can be sustained in the region in between. The results demonstrate that a cloud gap could only form in the presence of high amounts of other traces species (ethane nuclei, tholin particles, etc.). |
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Keywords: | Titan Atmospheres, Structure |
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