Published December 1, 1980
| Version Published
Journal Article
Open
Titan: Aerosol photochemistry and variations related to the sunspot cycle
Creators
Abstract
A photochemical theory is proposed for producing complex polymers in a methane atmosphere. It is argued that the polyacetylenes (C_(2n)H_2) are the most likely precursor molecules for the formation of the stratospheric haze layer on Titan. The production of polyacetylenes involves a strong positive feedback, leading to more production of polyactylenes. The thermosphere of Titan may undergo substantial expansion and contraction over a solar cycle, with important consequences for the chemistry of the upper atmosphere.
Additional Information
© 1980 American Astronomical Society. Provided by the NASA Astrophysics Data System. Received 1980 June 9; accepted 1980 August 15. We thank W. A. Goddard III and R. C. Flagan for discussions on the mechanism of soot formation; F. S. Rowland, H. Okabe, A. H. Laufer, and L. J. Stief for discussions on the kinetics of hydrocarbons; W. T. Huntress, Jr., and E. M. Purcell for discussions on the chemistry of the interstellar medium and interstellar grains; D. F. Strobel and M. B. McElroy for sharing with us their insight into the chemistry of Jovian atmospheres; and D. M. Hunten and R. M. Goody for critically reading our manuscript. This research is supported by NASA contract NSG 7376 under the Planetary Atmospheres Program. J. P. is an NAS NRC resident research associate.Attached Files
Published - 1980ApJ___242L_125A.pdf
Files
1980ApJ___242L_125A.pdf
Additional details
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- Eprint ID
- 49203
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20140903-140202245
Related works
- Describes
- http://adsabs.harvard.edu/doi/10.1086/183416 (URL)
Funding
- NASA
- NSG 7376
Dates
- Created
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2014-09-03Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
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2021-11-10Created from EPrint's last_modified field
Caltech Custom Metadata
- Caltech groups
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences (GPS)
- Other Numbering System Name
- Caltech Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences
- Other Numbering System Identifier
- 3436