Organic matter in the Saturn systemTheoretical and experimental predictions of the formation (and outgassing) of organic molecules in the outer solar system are compared with Voyager IRIS spectral data for the Titan atmosphere. The organic molecules of Titan are of interest because the species and processes within the atmosphere of that moon may have had analogs in the early earth atmosphere 4 Gyr ago. The spacecraft data confirmed the presence of alkanes, ethane, propane, ethylene, alkynes, acetylene, butadiene, methylacetylene, nitriles, hydrogen cyanide, cyanoacetylene, and cyanogen, all heavier than the dominant CH4. Experimental simulation of the effects of UV photolysis, alpha and gamma ray irradiation, electrical discharges and proton and electron bombardment of similar gas mixtures has shown the best promise for modeling the reactions producing the Titan atmosphere chemicals.
Document ID
19850051845
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Sagan, C. (Cornell Univ. Ithaca, NY, United States)
Khare, B. N. (Cornell University Ithaca, NY, United States)
Lewis, J. S. (Arizona, University Tucson, AZ, United States)