Evidence of diurnal variations of Titan's near-surface temperature and of a cooling effect of the northern seas from the Cassini radar/radiometer
Résumé
At first order, the physical temperature of Titan's surface can be regarded as nearly constant and predictable. Due to the low incident solar flux reaching its surface (1/1000 of what Earth receives) and the high thermal inertia of its atmosphere, diurnal, seasonal (including latitudinal) and altitudinal variations of temperature are limited as well as the effect of surface albedo (Lorenz et al., 1999). Voyager 1 radio-occultation measurements indeed show no diurnal effect and point to lapse rates in the lower atmosphere smaller than 1.5 K/km (McKay et al 1997). Voyager infrared observations indicate a pole-to-equator temperature contrast of 2-3 K (Flasar et al., 1981; 1998).
Domaines
Planète et Univers [physics]Origine | Fichiers produits par l'(les) auteur(s) |
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