Evidence for a Polar Ethane Cloud on Titan

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1128245
• Publication Date: 2007-03-14T19:41:08Z
• Authors: C. A. Griffith; P. Penteado; P. Rannou; R. Brown; V. Boudon; K. H. Baines; R. Clark; P. Drossart; B. Buratti; P. Nicholson; C. P. McKay; A. Coustenis; A. Negrao; R. Jaumann
• Keywords: [PHYS.PHYS.PHYS-AO-PH]Physics [physics]/Physics [physics]/Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics [physics.ao-ph]; Ethane; 550; Extraterrestrial Environment; Atmosphere; Photochemistry; Ice; 01 natural sciences; [PHYS.PHYS.PHYS-AO-PH] Physics [physics]/Physics [physics]/Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics [physics.ao-ph]; Ethane Cloud; Saturnian System; Cold Temperature; Saturn; 13. Climate action; 0103 physical sciences; VIMS; Cassini; Gases; Spacecraft; Titan; Methane

Spectra from Cassini's Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer reveal the presence of a vast tropospheric cloud on Titan at latitudes 51° to 68° north and all longitudes observed (10° to 190° west). The derived characteristics indicate that this cloud is composed of ethane and forms as a result of stratospheric subsidence and the particularly cool conditions near the moon's north pole. Preferential condensation of ethane, perhaps as ice, at Titan's poles during the winters may partially explain the lack of liquid ethane oceans on Titan's surface at middle and lower latitudes.