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2012 Annual Science Report

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory - Titan Reporting  |  SEP 2011 – AUG 2012

Task 2.2.2 Ultraviolet/infrared Spectroscopy and Photoprocessing of Ice Films

Project Summary

Investigations of the condensed phase chemistry of Titan’s atmospheric aerosols has continued. The focus this year has been on the photochemistry of acetylene imbedded in C4N2 ice—to simulate atmospheric aerosol photochemistry involving most abundant unsaturated molecule (acetylene) in Titan’s atmosphere.

4 Institutions
3 Teams
0 Publications
0 Field Sites
Field Sites

Project Progress

Co-Investigator Murthy Gudipati along with Principal Investigator Mark Allen and Co-Investigator Robert West in collaboration with Benjamin Fleury, Nathalie Carrasco, and Isabelle Couturier have continued investigations of the condensed phase chemistry of Titan’s atmospheric aerosols. The focus this year has been on the photochemistry of acetylene imbedded in C4N2 ice-to simulate atmospheric aerosol photochemistry involving most abundant unsaturated molecule (acetylene) in Titan’s atmosphere. Data is being analyzed at present; preliminary results show (slow) photochemical activity.

  • PROJECT INVESTIGATORS:
    Murthy Gudipati
    Project Investigator
  • PROJECT MEMBERS:
    Mark Allen
    Co-Investigator

    Robert West
    Co-Investigator

    Isabelle Couturier
    Collaborator

  • RELATED OBJECTIVES:
    Objective 2.2
    Outer Solar System exploration

    Objective 3.1
    Sources of prebiotic materials and catalysts