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Titan’s Lakes and Seas Jonathan I. Lunine Cornell University

Titan’s Lakes and Seas Jonathan I. Lunine Cornell University. Outline 1. Occurrence and distribution 2. Composition 3. Longevity 4. Astrobiology 5. The future. Outline 1. Occurrence and distribution 2. Composition 3. Longevity 4. Astrobiology 5. The future.

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Titan’s Lakes and Seas Jonathan I. Lunine Cornell University

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  1. Titan’s Lakes and Seas Jonathan I. Lunine Cornell University

  2. Outline 1. Occurrence and distribution 2. Composition 3. Longevity 4. Astrobiology 5. The future

  3. Outline 1. Occurrence and distribution 2. Composition 3. Longevity 4. Astrobiology 5. The future

  4. Ideas about surface methane and ethane on Titan were stimulated by Voyager 1 in 1980. Cassini discovered lakes and seas on Titan in 2006.

  5. The lakes and seas are for the most part confined to high latitudes Aharonson et al., 2009

  6. The lakes and seas are part of Titan’s methane cycle.

  7. Mike Carroll The seas are the third of three known carbon reservoirs Titan hydrocarbon reserves (surface-atmosphere) Lorenz et al. 2008 1,000 gigatons is the estimated amount of oil, coal and gas energy companies have  in reserve on Earth

  8. Outline 1. Occurrence and distribution 2. Composition 3. Longevity 4. Astrobiology 5. The future

  9. Theoretical calculation Cordier et al 2011 ethane in Ontario Lacus (Brown et al. 2008) Wedo not know the bulk ethane/methane/propane abundance in the seas

  10. Outline 1. Occurrence and distribution 2. Composition 3. Longevity 4. Astrobiology 5. The future

  11. Sunlight received at the surface. Seasonal: Lora et al., 2011 Solstice Prime Equinox Orbit precession Aharonson et al

  12. Seasonal effects are evident in the south but not the north. Turtle et al. 2011: shrinkage of Ontario Lacus over the late southern summer is consistent with evaporation

  13. Ligeia Mare may be part of a crustal liquid system that has persisted for some time, but not geologic time. Why are their seas today, and what is their relation to the evolution of the interior? 100 km

  14. The ethane sinks in the crust...into the ocean? Density versus temperature of clathrate hot water moves through hydrated silicates to ocean Ice/Hydrates Salt-Rich Ocean HP-Ice Layer Actively dehydrating rock core raises heat flux by 25-100% Metallic Core

  15. Outline 1. Occurrence and distribution 2. Composition 3. Longevity 4. Astrobiology 5. The future

  16. Chemical evolution on the road toward life would be a profound scientific discovery HCN (produced in Titan’s high atmosphere) catalyst -CN yielding Simulation of HCN polymer (blue) seen against background of abiotic chemistry. Flight qualified mass specs can see this and other polymers indicative of chemical evolution on the way to life. Ligeia Mare’s equivalent of the chains from which proteins are built?

  17. Outline 1. Occurrence and distribution 2. Composition 3. Longevity 4. Astrobiology 5. The future

  18. T109 Feb 2015 T104 August 2014 Latitude line incr. are 5o

  19. Lack of observed waves on the large seas may be seasonal • Sea surface • Winds on Titan have formed dunes in many regions, apparent wave-modified beach at Ontario • FLAT surfaces observed to date at Titan lakes • GCM predictions are consistent with non-detection of waves • so far, but expect to observe waves ~ 2015-2017. • TokanoGCM predicts modest winds during summer/fall TiME season. Solstice Mission Lorenz, Tokano and Newman, Planet. Space Sci., 2011 Now Prime XM

  20. VIMS and ISS images and spectra of the seas and lakes as the Sun climbs north 5 microns...VIMS

  21. Titan Mare Explorer: A Discovery mission to float across Ligeia Mare, measuring the composition, depth and atmospheric interactions of a Titan sea. Not selected for flight

  22. TiME Science Objectives • Constrain sea composition • Determine the chemistry of seas to constrain Titan's methane cycle, look for patterns indicative of chemical evolution in the abundance of constituents in the liquids and analyze noble gases. Instruments: Mass Spectrometer (NMS), Meteorology and Physical Properties Package (MP3). • Constrain sea depth • Determine the depth of the Titan sea to determine sea volumes, and thus, organic inventory. Instrument: MP3 (Sonar). • Measure sea surface properties • Characterize physical properties of sea liquids and how they vary with depth and position. Instrument: MP3, NMS. • Determine how the local meteorology over the seas ties to the global cycling of methane on seasonal and longer timescales. Instrument: MP3 • Analyze the nature of the sea surface (waves, foams, scums) and the state of the atmosphere above the sea. Instrument: Descent and Surface Imagers.

  23. Titan Mare Explorer: A Discovery mission to float across Ligeia Mare, measuring the composition, depth and atmospheric interactions of a Titan sea. • The Road goes ever on and on •      Down from the door where it began. • Now far ahead the Road has gone, •      Let others follow it who can! • Let them a journey new begin, •      But I at last with weary feet • Will turn towards the lighted inn, •      My evening-rest and sleep to meet. • J.R.R. Tolkien The 2020’s will be the lost decade for outer solar system exploration

  24. This is a Golden age of Planetary Exploration…but….

  25. Budget deficits Planetary

  26. Be an advocate...... Be knowledgeable.... BE RIGOROUS...... BE PERSUASIVE...... Be VISIONARY...... BE YOURSELF.....

  27. What will the next golden age of solar system exploration bring?

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