Electric properties and related physical characteristics of the atmosphere and surface of Titan

被引：50

作者：

Grard, R.

Hamelin, M.

Lopez-Moreno, J. J.

Schwingenschuh, K.

Jernej, I.

Molina-Cuberos, G. J.

Simoes, F.

Trautner, R.

Falkner, P.

Ferri, F.

Fulchignoni, M.

Rodrigo, R.

Svedhem, H.

Beghin, C.

Berthelier, J-J.

Brown, V. J. G.

Chabassiere, M.

Jeronimo, J. M.

Lara, L. M.

Tokano, T.

机构：

[1] CNRS, IPSL, CETP, F-94107 St Maur, France

[2] European Space Agcy, ESA, Estec, RSSD, NL-2200 AG Noordwijk, Netherlands

[3] CSIC, Inst Astrofis Andalucia, Granada 18008, Spain

[4] Austrian Acad Sci, Space Res Inst, A-8042 Graz, Austria

[5] Univ Murcia, Dept Phys, Appl Electromagnet Grp, E-30100 Murcia, Spain

[6] Univ Padua, CISAS G Colombo, I-35131 Padua, Italy

[7] Observ Paris, LESIA, F-92195 Meudon, France

[8] CNRS, LPCE, F-45071 Orleans 2, France

[9] Univ Cologne, Inst Geophys & Meteorol, D-50923 Cologne, Germany

来源：

PLANETARY AND SPACE SCIENCE | 2006年 / 54卷 / 12期

关键词：

Titan; atmospheric electricity; electric fields; acoustic pressure; surface properties;

D O I：

10.1016/j.pss.2006.05.036

中图分类号：

P1 [天文学];

学科分类号：

0704 ;

摘要：

The permittivity, waves and altimetry (PWA) instrument was designed for the investigation of the electric properties and other related physical characteristics of the atmosphere of Titan, from an altitude around 140 km down to the surface. PWA carried sensors to measure the atmospheric conductivity, and record electromagnetic and acoustic waves up to frequencies of 11.5 and 6.7kHz, respectively. PWA also measured the relief roughness during the descent and the permittivity of the surface after touchdown. The measurements and the results of the preliminary analysis are presented. An ionized layer is detected at altitudes above 50 km, using two independent techniques, and the presence of free electrons in the upper atmosphere is confirmed. An electric signal at around 36 Hz is observed throughout the descent, but it is not yet confirmed that this emission is unambiguously related to a resonance of the ionospheric cavity. The relative dielectric constant of Titan's surface material is nearly 2 and the electric conductivity 4 x 10(-10) S m(-1). The electric properties of the surface seem to evolve after touch-down, possibly due to a local warming of the landing site by the Huygens Probe body. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

引用

页码：1124 / 1136

页数：13

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