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Is titan wet or dry?

Authors :
Eshleman VR
Lindal GF
Tyler GL
Source :
Science (New York, N.Y.) [Science] 1983 Jul 01; Vol. 221 (4605), pp. 53-5.
Publication Year :
1983

Abstract

Titan's dense and cold nitrogen atmosphere contains a small amount of methane under conditions at least approaching those at which one or both constituents would condense. The possibility of methane and nitrogen rain clouds and global methane oceans has been discussed widely. From specific features of radio occultation and other Voyager results, however, it is concluded that nitrogen does not condense on Titan and that Titan has neither global methane oceans nor a global cloud of liquid methane droplets. Certain results indirectly support the conjecture that methane does not condense at any location. However, other considerations favor a methane ice haze high in the troposphere, and liquid and solid methane might exist on the surface and as low clouds at polar latitudes.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0036-8075
Volume :
221
Issue :
4605
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Science (New York, N.Y.)
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
17738013
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.221.4605.53