In situ thermal conductivity measurements of Titan's lower atmosphere

Thermal conductivity measurements, presented in this paper (Fig. 3), were made during the descent of the Huygens probe through the atmosphere of Titan below the altitude of 30 km. The measurements are broadly consistent with reference values derived from the composition, pressure and temperature pro...

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Published inIcarus (New York, N.Y. 1962) Vol. 197; no. 2; pp. 579 - 584
Main Authors Hathi, B., Ball, A.J., Banaszkiewicz, M., Daniell, P.M., Garry, J.R.C., Hagermann, A., Leese, M.R., Lorenz, R.D., Rosenberg, P.D., Towner, M.C., Zarnecki, J.C.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published San Diego, CA Elsevier Inc 01.10.2008
Elsevier
Subjects
Abundances
Astronomy
Atmospheres
composition
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Instrumentation
Solar system
Titan
Instrumentation
Atmospheres
Abundances
Titan
Methane
Cassini Huygens space probe
Satellite atmospheres
Saturn satellite
composition; Abundances
Abundance
Vapor condensation
Thermal conductivity
Solar system
composition; Titan; Instrumentation
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Summary:Thermal conductivity measurements, presented in this paper (Fig. 3), were made during the descent of the Huygens probe through the atmosphere of Titan below the altitude of 30 km. The measurements are broadly consistent with reference values derived from the composition, pressure and temperature profiles of the atmosphere; except in narrow altitude regions around 19 km and 11 km, where the measured thermal conductivity is lower than the reference by 1% and 2%, respectively. Only single data point exists at each of the two altitudes mentioned above; if true however, the result supports the case for existence for molecules heavier than nitrogen in these regions (such as: ethane, other primordial noble gases, carbon dioxide, and other hydrocarbon derivatives). The increasing thermal conductivity observed below 7 km altitude could be due to some liquid deposition during the descent; either due to condensation and/or due to passing through layers of fog/cloud containing liquid nitrogen–methane. Thermal conductivity measurements do not allow conclusions to be drawn about how such liquid may have entered the sensor, but an estimate of the cumulative liquid content encountered in the last 7 km is 0.6% by volume of the Titan's atmosphere sampled during descent.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
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ISSN:0019-1035
1090-2643
DOI:10.1016/j.icarus.2008.05.006