The riddle of Titan's gas
Abstract
Titan has an atmosphere which is certainly greater than that on Mars. Explanations for the ability of Titan to retain its atmosphere in spite of its weak gravity are considered. It is pointed out that hydrogen atoms escaping from the Titan gravitational field would lack the velocity to escape also from Saturn. Consequently, hydrogen atoms could be distributed into a toroidal volume around the orbit of Titan until they are recaptured by the satellite.
- Publication:
-
New Scientist
- Pub Date:
- November 1974
- Bibcode:
- 1974NewSc..64..429H
- Keywords:
-
- Hydrogen Atoms;
- Planetary Atmospheres;
- Titan;
- Albedo;
- Atmospheric Chemistry;
- Atmospheric Models;
- Atmospheric Optics;
- Escape Velocity;
- Gravitational Effects;
- Photochemical Reactions;
- Planetary Gravitation;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration