Comparison of Atmospheric Energetics, Dynamics, and Chemistry on Titan and Earth

小行星9816239 土卫六是太阳系中拥有与地球最相似大气层的天体。 这些大气层有着相似的成分和表面压力，我们可以在土卫六上识别出与地球相同的大气区域。 因此，我们可以通过比较这些机构学到很多东西。 Roger Yelle博士的研究基于对大气结构的全面计算，包括辐射，动力学和化学过程。 重点是高层大气。 地球和泰坦的结果将直接可比。 结果之一应该是更好地理解大小，重力，旋转速度和日心距离的差异如何影响全球环流。 泰坦的计算将用于解释旅行者号对高层大气温度和成分的观测，从而回答有关动力学在热结构中的作用，或化学水平传输，以及全球风系统对垂直传输的贡献的问题。 该项目的资金由天文科学处、大气科学处和数学和物理科学局多学科活动办公室共同提供。

9816239 Yelle Titan is the object in this solar system with an atmosphere most similar to that of Earth. These atmospheres share similar composition and surface pressures, and we can recognize the same atmospheric regions on Titan that have been defined for Earth. As a consequence, we can learn a great deal by comparing these bodies. Dr. Roger Yelle's investigation is based on comprehensive calculations of atmospheric structure including radiative, dynamical, and chemical processes. The focus is on the upper atmospheres. Results for Earth and Titan will be directly comparable. One outcome should be a better understanding of how the differences in size, gravity, rotation rate, and heliocentric distance affect global circulation. The Titan calculations will be used to interpret Voyager observations of upper atmospheric temperature and composition, allowing answers to questions about the role of dynamics in the thermal structure, or horizontal transport to the chemistry, and the contribution of global wind systems to vertical transport. Funding for this project is shared among the Division of Astronomical Sciences, the Division of Atmospheric Sciences, and the Office of Multidisciplinary Activities in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate.