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Titan's atmosphere - Temperature and dynamicsIn the lower atmosphere of Titan IR brightness temperatures exhibit meridional contrast less than approximately 3 K. Seasonal variations are absent because of the large radiative time constant. In the upper stratosphere meridional contrasts are approximately 20 K, consistent with 100 m/s cyclostrophic zonal winds, and the radiative time constant is short, implying a large seasonal variation in the temperature and wind field. The absence of longitudinal thermal structure implies that zonally symmetric flows effect the meridional transport of heat. A simple model yields meridional velocities approximately 0.04 cm/s and vertical eddy viscosities approximately 1,000 sq cm/s in the lower troposphere, and meridional velocities approximately 5 cm/s in the upper stratosphere.
Document ID
19810060804
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Flasar, F. M.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Samuelson, R. E.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Conrath, B. J.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Laboratory for Extraterrestrial Physics, Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
August 20, 1981
Publication Information
Publication: Nature
Volume: 292
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
81A45208
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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