Distribution of molecular hydrogen in the atmosphere of Titan
| dc.contributor.author | Bertaux, J.L. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Kockarts, G. | |
| dc.date | 1983 | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2017-06-28T12:18:16Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2017-06-28T12:18:16Z | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://orfeo.belnet.be/handle/internal/5904 | |
| dc.description | The diffusion problem of light gases in the atmosphere of Titan is reassessed after Voyager encounter. An analytical solution of the diffusion equation for a spherical geometry and an isothermal atmosphere provides a vertical profile of molecular hydrogen when physical parameters measured during Voyager encounter with Titan's atmosphere are used. The H//2 concentration varies from 5. 5 multiplied by 10**7 cm** minus **3 at a turbopause radial distance of 3500 km to 3. 1 multiplied by 10**5 cm** minus **3 at a critical level of 4100 km radial distance where the escape flux is 2. 5 multiplied by 10**9 cm** minus **2 s** minus **1. The importance of the escape flux is such that a variation of plus or minus 200 km of the turbopause level does not change the concentration at the critical level by more than 10%. The observed existence of an atomic hydrogen torus leads to an estimation of the concentration of a molecular hydrogen torus that has not yet been detected. The estimated concentration of H//2 in the torus is 100 cm** minus **3. | |
| dc.language | eng | |
| dc.title | Distribution of molecular hydrogen in the atmosphere of Titan | |
| dc.type | Article | |
| dc.subject.frascati | Physical sciences | |
| dc.audience | Scientific | |
| dc.source.title | Journal of Geophysical Research | |
| dc.source.volume | 88 | |
| dc.source.issue | A11 | |
| dc.source.page | 8716-8720 | |
| Orfeo.peerreviewed | Yes | |
| dc.identifier.doi | 10.1029/JA088iA11p08716 | |
| dc.identifier.scopus | 2-s2.0-0020846429 |
