Volume 147, 2010

Upper limits for undetected trace species in the stratosphere of Titan

Abstract

In this paper we describe the first quantitative search for several molecules in Titan's stratosphere in Cassini CIRS infrared spectra. These are: ammonia (NH3), methanol (CH3OH), formaldehyde (H2CO), and acetonitrile (CH3CN), all of which are predicted by photochemical models but only the last of which has been observed, and not in the infrared. We find non-detections in all cases, but derive upper limits on the abundances from low-noise observations at 25°S and 75°N. Comparing these constraints to model predictions, we conclude that CIRS is highly unlikely to see NH3 or CH3OH emissions. However, CH3CN and H2CO are closer to CIRS detectability, and we suggest ways in which the sensitivity threshold may be lowered towards this goal.

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
02 Mar 2010
Accepted
17 Apr 2010
First published
01 Jul 2010

Faraday Discuss., 2010,147, 65-81

Upper limits for undetected trace species in the stratosphere of Titan

C. A. Nixon, R. K. Achterberg, N. A. Teanby, P. G. J. Irwin, J. Flaud, I. Kleiner, A. Dehayem-Kamadjeu, L. R. Brown, R. L. Sams, B. Bézard, A. Coustenis, T. M. Ansty, A. Mamoutkine, S. Vinatier, G. L. Bjoraker, D. E. Jennings, Paul. N. Romani and F. M. Flasar, Faraday Discuss., 2010, 147, 65 DOI: 10.1039/C003771K

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