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Nitrogen Chemistry in Titan's Upper AtmosphereIn Titan's upper atmosphere N2 is dissociated to N by solar UV and high energy electrons. This flux of N provides for interesting organic chemistry in the lower atmosphere of Titan. Previously the main pathway for the loss of this N was thought to be the formation of HCN, followed by diffusion of this HCN to lower altitudes leading ultimately to condensation. However, recent laboratory simulations of organic chemistry in Titan's atmosphere suggest that formation of the organic haze may be an important sink for atmospheric N. Because estimates of the eddy diffusion profile on Titan have been based on the HCN profile, inclusion of this additional sink for N will affect estimates for all transport processes in Titan's atmosphere. This and other implications of this sink for the N balance on Titan are considered.
Document ID
20020038557
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
McKay, Christopher P.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Cuzzi, Jeffrey
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1996
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Meeting Information
Meeting: Western Pacific Geophysics Meeting
Location: Brisbane
Country: Australia
Start Date: July 23, 1996
End Date: July 27, 1996
Sponsors: American Geophysical Union
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 185-52-62-04
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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