Rain, winds and haze during the Huygens probe's descent to Titan's surface

M. G. Tomasko, B. Archinal, T. Becker, B. Bézard, M. Bushroe, M. Combes, D. Cook, A. Coustenis, C. de Bergh, L. E. Dafoe, L. Doose, S. Douté, A. Eibl, S. Engel, F. Gliem, B. Grieger, K. Holso, E. Howington-Kraus, E. Karkoschka, H. U. Keller, R. Kirk, R. Kramm, M. Küppers, P. Lanagan, E. Lellouch, M. Lemmon, J. Lunine, E. McFarlane, J. Moores, G. M. Prout, B. Rizk, M. Rosiek, P. Rueffer, S. E. Schröder, B. Schmitt, C. See (), P. Smith, L. Soderblom, N. Thomas and R. West
Additional contact information
M. G. Tomasko: University of Arizona
B. Archinal: US Geological Survey, Astrogeology
T. Becker: US Geological Survey, Astrogeology
B. Bézard: LESIA, Observatoire de Paris
M. Bushroe: University of Arizona
M. Combes: LESIA, Observatoire de Paris
D. Cook: US Geological Survey, Astrogeology
A. Coustenis: LESIA, Observatoire de Paris
C. de Bergh: LESIA, Observatoire de Paris
L. E. Dafoe: University of Arizona
L. Doose: University of Arizona
S. Douté: Laboratoire de Planétologie de Grenoble
A. Eibl: University of Arizona
S. Engel: University of Arizona
F. Gliem: Technical University of Braunschweig
B. Grieger: Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research
K. Holso: University of Arizona
E. Howington-Kraus: US Geological Survey, Astrogeology
E. Karkoschka: University of Arizona
H. U. Keller: Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research
R. Kirk: US Geological Survey, Astrogeology
R. Kramm: Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research
M. Küppers: Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research
P. Lanagan: University of Arizona
E. Lellouch: LESIA, Observatoire de Paris
M. Lemmon: Texas A&M University
J. Lunine: University of Arizona
E. McFarlane: University of Arizona
J. Moores: University of Arizona
G. M. Prout: University of Arizona
B. Rizk: University of Arizona
M. Rosiek: US Geological Survey, Astrogeology
P. Rueffer: Technical University of Braunschweig
S. E. Schröder: Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research
B. Schmitt: Laboratoire de Planétologie de Grenoble
C. See: University of Arizona
P. Smith: University of Arizona
L. Soderblom: US Geological Survey, Astrogeology
N. Thomas: University of Bern
R. West: Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Nature, 2005, vol. 438, issue 7069, 765-778

Abstract: Abstract The irreversible conversion of methane into higher hydrocarbons in Titan's stratosphere implies a surface or subsurface methane reservoir. Recent measurements from the cameras aboard the Cassini orbiter fail to see a global reservoir, but the methane and smog in Titan's atmosphere impedes the search for hydrocarbons on the surface. Here we report spectra and high-resolution images obtained by the Huygens Probe Descent Imager/Spectral Radiometer instrument in Titan's atmosphere. Although these images do not show liquid hydrocarbon pools on the surface, they do reveal the traces of once flowing liquid. Surprisingly like Earth, the brighter highland regions show complex systems draining into flat, dark lowlands. Images taken after landing are of a dry riverbed. The infrared reflectance spectrum measured for the surface is unlike any other in the Solar System; there is a red slope in the optical range that is consistent with an organic material such as tholins, and absorption from water ice is seen. However, a blue slope in the near-infrared suggests another, unknown constituent. The number density of haze particles increases by a factor of just a few from an altitude of 150 km to the surface, with no clear space below the tropopause. The methane relative humidity near the surface is 50 per cent.

Date: 2005
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DOI: 10.1038/nature04126

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