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Ion neutral mass spectrometer results from the first flyby of Titan.

Authors :
Waite JH Jr
Niemann H
Yelle RV
Kasprzak WT
Cravens TE
Luhmann JG
McNutt RL
Ip WH
Gell D
De La Haye V
Müller-Wordag I
Magee B
Borggren N
Ledvina S
Fletcher G
Walter E
Miller R
Scherer S
Thorpe R
Xu J
Block B
Arnett K
Source :
Science (New York, N.Y.) [Science] 2005 May 13; Vol. 308 (5724), pp. 982-6.
Publication Year :
2005

Abstract

The Cassini Ion Neutral Mass Spectrometer (INMS) has obtained the first in situ composition measurements of the neutral densities of molecular nitrogen, methane, molecular hydrogen, argon, and a host of stable carbon-nitrile compounds in Titan's upper atmosphere. INMS in situ mass spectrometry has also provided evidence for atmospheric waves in the upper atmosphere and the first direct measurements of isotopes of nitrogen, carbon, and argon, which reveal interesting clues about the evolution of the atmosphere. The bulk composition and thermal structure of the moon's upper atmosphere do not appear to have changed considerably since the Voyager 1 flyby.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1095-9203
Volume :
308
Issue :
5724
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Science (New York, N.Y.)
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
15890873
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1110652