On the amount of heavy molecular ions in Titan's ionosphere

Abstract

We present observational evidence that the ionosphere of Titan below an altitude of 1150 km is a significant source of heavy (>100 amu) molecular organic species. This study is based on measurements by five instruments (RPWS/LP, RPWS/E, INMS, CAPS/ELS, CAPS/IBS) onboard the Cassini spacecraft during three flybys (T17, T18, T32) of Titan. The ionospheric peaks encountered at altitudes of 950–1300 km had densities in the range 900–3000 cm −3. Below these peaks the number densities of heavy positively charged ions reached 100–2000 cm −3 and approached 50–70% of the total ionospheric density with an increasing trend toward lowest measured altitudes. Simultaneously measured negatively charged ion densities were in the range 50–150 cm −3. These results imply that ~10 5–10 6 heavy positively charged ions/m 3/s are continuously recombining into heavy neutrals and supply the atmosphere of Titan. The ionosphere may in this way produce 0.1–1 Mt/yr of heavy organic compounds and is therefore a sizable source for aerosol formation. We also predict that Titan's ionosphere is dominated by heavy (>100 amu) molecular ions below 950 km.