Open AccessThe Influence of CO2 Admixtures on Process in Titan's Atmospheric Chemistry
Author(s) -
L. Töröková,
Věra Mazánková,
Nigel J. Mason,
František Krčma,
G. H. Morgan,
Štefan Matejčík
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
plasma physics and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2336-2634
pISSN - 2336-2626
DOI - 10.14311/ppt.2016.3.163
Subject(s) - titan (rocket family) , astrobiology , atmosphere of titan , hydrogen cyanide , acetylene , atmospheric chemistry , ammonia , chemistry , hydrogen , atmosphere (unit) , cyanoacetylene , molecule , environmental chemistry , ozone , inorganic chemistry , organic chemistry , meteorology , physics
The exploration of planetary atmosphere is being advanced by the exciting results of the Cassin-Huygens mission to Titan. The complex chemistry revealed in such atmospheres leading to the synthesis of bigger molecules is providing new insights into our understanding of how life on Earth developed. In our experiments Titan's atmosphere is simulated in a glow discharge formed from a mixture of N 2 :CH 4 :CO 2 gas. Samples of the discharge gas were analysed by GC-MS and FTIR. The major products identified in spectra were: hydrogen cyanide, acetylene and acetonitrile. The same compounds were detected in the FTIR: hydrogen cyanide, acetylene and ammonia. Whilst many of these compounds have been predicted and/or observed in the Titan atmosphere, the present plasma experiments provide evidence of both the chemical complexity of Titan atmospheric processes and the mechanisms by which larger species grow prior to form the dust that should cover much of the Titan's surface.