NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010B-0566
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010B-0566 |
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PI: Laurence Trafton, University of Texas at Austin, lmt@astro.as.utexas.edu
Address: The University of Texas, Department of Astronomy, 1 University Station, C1400, Austin, TX 78712-0259, US
CoI: Sang Kim, Kyunghee University, Korea
CoI: Thomas Geballe, Gemini Observatory - North
Title: Search for Enhancement of Unidentified Titan Absorption Features over Xanadu and for Titan CH4 Humidity Gradients
Abstract:
We propose to use Gemini with NIFS/Altair to map weak methane lines and
unidentified weak features that we have discovered in Titan's 2-2.11 micron
window in the K band in order to search for enhanced absorption over Xanadu
reported by Adamkovics et al. (2009) for condensed CH4 and to probe the
hemispherical (seasonal) variation of the methane mixing ratio in Titan's
lower, unsaturated atmosphere. These will help to constrain the
identification and role of the unknown species, e.g. whether it is associated
with drizzle, and will help test the proposition that volatile lakes are the
dominant source reservoir that maintains methane in Titan's atmosphere.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010B-0566 |
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