Ion neutral mass spectrometer results from the first flyby of Titan.
The Cassini Ion Neutral Mass Spectrometer (INMS) has obtained the first in situ composition measurements of the neutral densities of molecular nitrogen, methane, molecular hydrogen, argon, and a host of stable carbon-nitrile compounds in Titan's upper atmosphere. INMS in situ mass spectrometry has also provided evidence for atmospheric waves in the upper atmosphere and the first direct measurements of isotopes of nitrogen, carbon, and argon, which reveal interesting clues about the evolution of the atmosphere. The bulk composition and thermal structure of the moon's upper atmosphere do not appear to have changed considerably since the Voyager 1 flyby.
Waite
J Hunter
JH
Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Space Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2143, USA.
Niemann
Hasso
H
Yelle
Roger V
RV
Kasprzak
Wayne T
WT
Cravens
Thomas E
TE
Luhmann
Janet G
JG
McNutt
Ralph L
RL
Ip
Wing-Huen
WH
Gell
David
D
De La Haye
Virginie
V
Müller-Wordag
Ingo
I
Magee
Brian
B
Borggren
Nathan
N
Ledvina
Steve
S
Fletcher
Greg
G
Walter
Erin
E
Miller
Ryan
R
Scherer
Stefan
S
Thorpe
Rob
R
Xu
Jing
J
Block
Bruce
B
Arnett
Ken
K
D001128:Argon; D001272:Atmosphere; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D004602:Elements; D019419:Evolution, Planetary; D005118:Extraterrestrial Environment; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D006859:Hydrogen; D007554:Isotopes; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008697:Methane; D009570:Nitriles; D009584:Nitrogen; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes; D018539:Saturn; D018531:Spacecraft; D013696:Temperature
D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D004602:Elements; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D007554:Isotopes; D009570:Nitriles; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes; D001128:Argon; D006859:Hydrogen; D009584:Nitrogen; D008697:Methane