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Solid-State Photochemistry as a Formation Mechanism for Titan's Stratospheric C4N2 Ice CloudsWe propose that C4N2 ice clouds observed in Titan's springtime polar stratosphere arise due to solid-state photochemistry occurring within extant ice cloud particles of HCN-HC3N mixtures. This formation process resembles the halogen-induced ice particle surface chemistry that leads to condensed nitric acid trihydrate (NAT) particles and ozone depletion in Earth's polar stratosphere. As our analysis of the Cassini Composite Infrared Spectrometer 478 per centimeter ice emission feature demonstrates, this solid-state photochemistry mechanism eliminates the need for the relatively high C4N2 saturation vapor pressures required (even though they are not observed) when the ice is produced through the usual procedure of direct condensation from the vapor.
Document ID
20170002318
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Anderson, C. M.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Samuelson, R. E.
(Maryland Univ. College Park, MD, United States)
Yung, Y. L.
(California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
McLain, J. L.
(Maryland Univ. College Park, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
March 17, 2017
Publication Date
May 14, 2016
Publication Information
Publication: Geophysical Research Letters
Publisher: AGU Publications
Volume: 43
Issue: 7
ISSN: 0094-8276
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Report/Patent Number
GSFC-E-DAA-TN40035
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNG06EO90A
CONTRACT_GRANT: JPL-1459109
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Titan's stratosphere

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