Ion Neutral Mass Spectrometer Results from the First Flyby of Titan

The Cassini Ion Neutral Mass Spectrometer (INMS) has obtained the first in situ composition measurements of the neutral densities of molecular nitrogen, methane, molecular hydrogen, argon, and a host of stable carbon-nitrile compounds in Titan's upper atmosphere. INMS in situ mass spectrometry...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2005-05, Vol.308 (5724), p.982-986
Main Authors: Waite, J. Hunter, Niemann, Hasso, Yelle, Roger V, Kasprzak, Wayne T, Cravens, Thomas E, Luhmann, Janet G, McNutt, Ralph L, Ip, Wing-Huen, Gell, David, De La Haye, Virginie, Můller-Wordag, Ingo, Magee, Brian, Borggren, Nathan, Ledvina, Steve, Fletcher, Greg, Walter, Erin, Miller, Ryan, Scherer, Stefan, Thorpe, Rob, Xu, Jing, Block, Bruce, Arnett, Ken
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Altitude
Analysis
Argon
Atmosphere
Atmospheric composition
Atmospherics
Carbon Isotopes
Chemical compounds
Climate
Datasets
Earth
Elements
Error of Measurement
Evolution, Planetary
Extraterrestrial Environment
Hydrocarbons
Hydrogen
Ionization
Isotopes
Mass spectrometers
Mass Spectrometry
Methane
Mixing ratios
Moons
Nitriles
Nitrogen
Nitrogen Isotopes
Observations
Saturn
Scientific Concepts
Scientific imaging
Space exploration
Spacecraft
Temperature
Titan (Satellite)
Upper atmosphere
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Description
Summary:The Cassini Ion Neutral Mass Spectrometer (INMS) has obtained the first in situ composition measurements of the neutral densities of molecular nitrogen, methane, molecular hydrogen, argon, and a host of stable carbon-nitrile compounds in Titan's upper atmosphere. INMS in situ mass spectrometry has also provided evidence for atmospheric waves in the upper atmosphere and the first direct measurements of isotopes of nitrogen, carbon, and argon, which reveal interesting clues about the evolution of the atmosphere. The bulk composition and thermal structure of the moon's upper atmosphere do not appear to have changed considerably since the Voyager 1 flyby.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.1110652