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Atmospheric Dynamics of TitanTitan. after Venus, is the second example of an atmosphere with a global cyclostrophic circulation in the solar system, but one with a strong seasonal modulation in the middle atmosphere. Direct measurement of Titan's winds, particularly observations tracking the Huygens probe at 10degS, indicate that the zonal winds are generally in the sense of the satellite's rotation. They become cyclostrophic approx.35 km above the surface and generally increase with altitude, with the exception of a sharp minimum centered near 75 km, where the wind velocity decreases to nearly zero. Zonal winds derived from the temperature field retrieved from Cassini measurements using the thermal wind equation, indicate a strong winter circumpolar vortex, with maximum winds of 190 m/s near 300 km at mid-northern latitudes. One of the most intriguing findings is that the pole of stratospheric temperatures and winds appears to be offset from the IAU definition of Titan's pole by approx. 4deg. The mean meridional circulation can be inferred from the temperature field, and the meridional distribution of organic molecules and condensates and hazes.
Document ID
20080031109
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Abstract
Authors
Flasar, F. Michael
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Achterberg, Richard K.
(Maryland Univ. College Park, MD, United States)
Schinder, Paul J.
(Cornell Univ. Ithaca, NY, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
July 14, 2008
Subject Category
Space Sciences (General)
Meeting Information
Meeting: 37th COSPAR General Assembly
Location: Montreal
Country: Canada
Start Date: July 14, 2008
End Date: July 18, 2008
Sponsors: Committee on Space Research
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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