Coupling a photochemical model of Triton's atmosphere with an electron transport code

• DOI: 10.5194/egusphere-egu23-6543
• Publication Date: 2023-02-25T20:12:41Z
• Authors: Benjamin Benne; Bilal Benmahi; Michel Dobrijevic; Thibault Cavalié; Jean-Christophe L...; Kevin Hickson; Mathieu Barthélémy; Jean Lilensten
• Keywords: Electron precipitation

IntroductionDuring the only flyby of Triton by Voyager 2 in 1989, a dense ionosphere was observed (Tyler et al. 1989). Results were surprising as solar irradiation this satellite is ten times lower than on Titan, and yet its denser. Thus, electronic precipitation from Neptune’s magnetosphere hypothesized to bring needed extra input energy (Krasnopolsky 1993), high electrons have been spacecraft area (Krimigis 1989).  To understand how could impact composition Triton’s atmosphere, we coupled an electron transport code photochemical model atmosphere.Methodology We used TRANS that utilized compute various planetary atmospheres (see Gronoff 2009 references therein). We adapted it conditions results Strobel (1990) Sittler Hartle (1996) precipitation. This led us calculate mean magnetic field before adjusting depending energy, detailed (1996). then with our most recent atmosphere (Benne 2022) using outputs reaction rates electro-dissociation electro-ionization reactions. Iterations performed between two codes until steady state reached. After determining nominal ran Monte Carlo simulation characterize effect chemical uncertainties results.ResultsWith previous presented Benne (2022), found peak number density larger factor 2.5 5 compared one derived observations. By coupling TRANS, find profile now agreement these measurements, resulting significant decrease rate. In contrast Krasnopolsky Cruikshank (1995) Summers (1995), main ionization source EUV radiation instead magnetospheric electrons. work also allows better varying environment impacts atmospheric chemistry.References[1] Tyler, G. L. Science 246, no. 4936 (December 15, 1989): 1466–73.[2] Krasnopolsky, V. A. Journal Geophysical Research 98 (February 1, 1993): 3065–78.[3] Krimigis, S. M. 1483–89.[4] Gronoff, Astronomy & Astrophysics 506, (November 2009): 955–64.[5] Strobel, Darrell F. Letters 17, 10 (1990): 1661–64.[6] Sittler, E. C., R. Hartle. Research: Space Physics 101, A5 (May 1996): 10863–76.[7] Benne, B. 667 2022): A169.[8] Vladimir A., Dale P. Cruikshank. 100, E10 (1995): 21271.[9] D. F., Summers. 1995, 1107–48. Cruikshank, P., Mildred Shapley Matthews, Schumann. « Neptune », 1995.