The evolution of infalling sulfur species in Titan's atmosphere

K. M., Hickson (1) , J. C., Loison (1) , T. Cavalié (2, 3, 4, 5) , Eric Hébrard (2, 3, 4, 5) , M. Dobrijevic (2, 3, 4, 5)

1 ISM - Institut des Sciences Moléculaires
2 ASP 2014
3 LAB - Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Bordeaux [Pessac]
4 OASU - Observatoire aquitain des sciences de l'univers
5 UB - Université Sciences et Technologies - Bordeaux 1

Aims: We studied the hypothesis that micrometeorites and Enceladus' plume activity could carry sulfur-bearing species into the upper atmosphere of Titan, in a manner similar to oxygen-bearing species. Methods: We have developed a detailed photochemical model of sulfur compounds in the atmosphere of Titan that couples hydrocarbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur chemistries. Results: Photochemical processes produce mainly CS and H2CS in the upper atmosphere of Titan and C3S, H2S and CH3SH in the lower atmosphere. Mole fractions of these compounds depend significantly on the source of sulfur species. Conclusions: A possible future detection of CS (or the determination of a low upper limit) could be used to distinguish the two scenarios for the origin of sulfur species, which then could help to differentiate the various scenarios for the origin of H2O, CO, and CO2 in the stratosphere of Titan.

Mots clés: planets and satellites: individual: Titan; planets and satellites: atmospheres; planets and satellites: composition

Domaines: Planétologie et astrophysique de la terre [astro-ph.EP]

K. M., Hickson, J. C., Loison, T. Cavalié, Eric Hébrard, M. Dobrijevic. The evolution of infalling sulfur species in Titan's atmosphere. Astronomy and Astrophysics - A&A, 2014, 572, pp.A58. ⟨10.1051/0004-6361/201424703⟩. ⟨hal-01090772⟩