Cosmic ray synthesis of organic molecules in Titan's atmosphere

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1980 · Icarus; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0019-1035(80)90056-1· OSTI ID:5756587

Capone, L A ^[1]; Dubach, J ^[2]; Whitten, R C ^[3]; Prasad, S S ^[4]; Santhanam, K ^[5]

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1. San Jose State University, San Jose, Calif.
2. California, University, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, Los Alamos, N. Mex.
3. NASA, Ames Research Center, Space Sciences Div., Moffett Field, Calif.
4. California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
5. Informatics, Inc., Palo Alto, Calif.

The possible synthesis of organic molecules by the absorption of galactic cosmic rays in an N2-CH4-H2 Titan model atmosphere has been studied. The cosmic-ray-induced ionization results in peak electron densities of 2000/cu cm, with NH(+), C3H9(+), and C4H9(+) being among the important positive ions. Details of the ion and neutral chemistry relevant to the production of organic molecules are discussed. The potential importance of N(2D) reactions with CH4 and H2 is also demonstrated. Although the integrated production rate of organic matter due to the absorption of the cosmic ray cascade is much less than that by solar ultraviolet radiation, the production of nitrogen-bearing organic molecules by cosmic rays may be greater.

• OSTI ID: 5756587
• Journal Information: Icarus; (United States), Vol. 44
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
SYNTHESIS
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
RADIATION EFFECTS
SATURN PLANET
SATELLITES
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COSMIC RADIATION
HYDROGEN
IONIZATION
METHANE
NITROGEN
ALKANES
ATMOSPHERES
CHEMISTRY
ELEMENTS
HYDROCARBONS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
NONMETALS
PLANETS
RADIATIONS
640107* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Planetary Phenomena