Titan: Interior, Surface, Atmosphere, and Space Environment (Cambridge Planetary Science)

Cambridge University Press, 2/24/2014
EAN 9780521199926, ISBN10: 0521199921

Hardcover, 474 pages, 27.9 x 22.2 x 2.5 cm
Language: English

Titan, the largest of Saturn's moons, shares remarkable similarities with Earth. Its thick atmosphere is composed primarily of nitrogen; it features the most complex organic chemistry known outside of Earth and, uniquely, hosts an analog to Earth's hydrological cycle, with methane forming clouds, rain and seas. Using the latest data from the ongoing Cassini–Huygens missions, laboratory measurements and numerical simulations, this comprehensive reference examines the physical processes that shape Titan's fascinating atmospheric structure and chemistry, weather, climate, circulation and surface geology. The text also surveys leading theories about Titan's origin and evolution, and assesses their implications for understanding the formation of other complex planetary bodies. Written by an international team of specialists, chapters offer detailed, comparative treatments of Titan's known properties and discuss the latest frontiers in the Cassini–Huygens mission, offering students and researchers of planetary science, geology, astronomy and space physics an insightful reference and guide.

Introduction I. C. F. Müller-Wodarg, C. A. Griffith, E. Lellouch and T. E. Cravens
Prologue 1
the genesis of Cassini–Huygens W.-H. Ip, T. Owen and D. Gautier
Prologue 2
building a space flight instrument
a P.I.'s perspective M. Tomasko
1. The origin and evolution of Titan G. Tobie, J. I. Lunine, J. Monteux, O. Mousis and F. Nimmo
2. Titan's surface geology O. Aharonson, A. G. Hayes, P. O. Hayne, R. M. Lopes, A. Lucas and J. T. Perron
3. Thermal structure of Titan's troposphere and middle atmosphere F. M. Flasar, R. K. Achterberg and P. J. Schinder
4. The general circulation of Titan's lower and middle atmosphere S. Lebonnois, F. M. Flasar, T. Tokano and C. E. Newman
5. The composition of Titan's atmosphere B. Bézard, R. V. Yelle and C. A. Nixon
6. Storms, clouds, and weather C. A. Griffith, S. Rafkin, P. Rannou and C. P. McKay
7. Chemistry of Titan's atmosphere V. Vuitton, O. Dutuit, M. A. Smith and N. Balucani
8. Titan's haze R. West, P. Lavvas, C. Anderson and H. Imanaka
9. Titan's upper atmosphere
thermal structure, dynamics, and energetics R. V. Yelle and I. C. F. Müller-Wodarg
10. Titan's upper atmosphere/exosphere, escape processes, and rates D. F. Strobel and J. Cui
11. Titan's ionosphere M. Galand, A. J. Coates, T. E. Cravens and J.-E. Wahlund
12. Titan's magnetospheric and plasma environment J.-E. Wahlund, R. Modolo, C. Bertucci and A. J. Coates.