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Wind‐induced atmospheric escape: Titan
Author(s) -
Hartle R. E.,
Johnson R. E.,
Sittler E. C.,
Sarantos M.,
Simpson D. G.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2012gl052774
Subject(s) - titan (rocket family) , atmospheric escape , astrobiology , atmosphere of titan , pluto , atmospheric sciences , planet , atmospheric models , exoplanet , methane , thermal , atmospheric tide , kinetic energy , atmospheric temperature , environmental science , atmospheric composition , physics , thermosphere , atmosphere (unit) , meteorology , geophysics , astrophysics , mars exploration program , ionosphere , chemistry , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics
Rapid thermospheric flows can significantly enhance the atmospheric loss rates and structures of atmospheric coronae of planetary bodies. Using descriptions of atmospheric escape based on molecular kinetic models, we show that such flows at the exobase of Titan could significantly increase the calculated constituent thermal and nonthermal escape rates. In particular, we show here that the effect of thermospheric winds at the exobase cannot be ignored when calculating the escape of methane from Titan. Such enhancements are likely also relevant to Pluto and exoplanet atmospheres.