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Titan's Atmospheric Composition from Observations by the Cassini Infrared SpectrometerThe Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) aboard the Cassini spacecraft has been making observations during the fly-bys of Titan since the Saturn-Orbit-Insertion in July 2004. The observations provide infrared them1 emission spectra of Titan s atmosphere in three spectral channels covering the 10/cm to 1400/cm spectral region, with variable spectral resolutions of 0.53/cm and 2.8/cm. The uniquely observed spectra exhibit rotational and vibrational-rotational spectral lines of the molecular constituents of Titan s atmosphere that may be analyzed to retrieve information about the composition, thermal structure, and physical and dynamical processes in the remotely sensed atmosphere. We present an analysis of Titan's infrared spectra observed during July 2004 (TO), December 2004 (Tb) and February 2005 (T3), for retrieval of the stratospheric thermal structure, distribution of the hydrocarbons, nitriles, and oxygen bearing constituents, such as C2H2, C2H4, C2H6, C3H8, HCN, HC3N, CO, and CO2 . Preliminary results on the distribution and opacity of haze in Titan s atmosphere are discussed.
Document ID
20060048188
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Abbas, M. M.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
LeClair, A.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Flasar, F. M.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Kunde, V. G.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Conrath, B. J.
(Cornell Univ. Ithaca, NY, United States)
Coustenis, A.
(Observatoire de Paris-Meudon France)
Jennings, D. J.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Nixon, C. A.
(Maryland Univ. College Park, MD, United States)
Brasunas, J.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Achterberg, R. K.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2006
Subject Category
Astronomy
Meeting Information
Meeting: 36th COSPAR Scientific Assembly
Location: Beijing
Country: China
Start Date: July 16, 2006
End Date: July 23, 2006
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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