Cassini CAPS‐ELS observations of negative ions in Titan's ionosphere: Trends of density with altitude
Cassini CAPS‐ELS observations of negative ions in Titan's ionosphere: Trends of density with altitude
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DOI：
10.1002/grl.50751
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发表时间：
2013-09
影响因子：
5.2
通讯作者：
A. Wellbrock;A. Coates;G. Jones;G. Lewis;J. Waite
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
A. Wellbrock;A. Coates;G. Jones;G. Lewis;J. Waite
卡西尼等离子体光谱仪（CAPS-ELS）的电子光谱仪传感器的观测揭示了泰坦电离层中负离子的存在。当仪器指向950-1400公里高度的撞击方向时，在遭遇过程中可以观察到负离子。据信发生了复杂的烃和腈化学过程，其在雾形成中起作用。到目前为止，观测到的最重离子的质量高达13，800 amu/q。使用数据从34泰坦遭遇，我们第一次显示不同质量组的负离子密度趋势，包括总密度，与高度。我们确定的峰值密度和相关的高度，他们被观察到的最高海拔，在个别质量组被发现。
Observations with the Electron Spectrometer sensor of the Cassini Plasma Spectrometer (CAPS‐ELS) have revealed the existence of negative ions in Titan's ionosphere. Negative ions are observed during encounters whenever the instrument points in the ram direction at altitudes 950–1400 km. Complex hydrocarbon and nitrile chemical processes are believed to take place which play a role in haze formation. The heaviest ions observed so far have masses up to 13,800 amu/q. Using data from 34 Titan encounters, we show for the first time negative ion density trends of different mass groups, including total densities, with altitude. We determine peak densities and the associated altitudes at which they are observed and the highest altitudes at which individual mass groups are found.