Isotopic ratios of carbon and oxygen in Titan's CO using ALMA

Joseph Serigano; C. A. Nixon; M. A. Cordiner; P. G J Irwin; Nicholas A Teanby; S. B. Charnley; J. E. Lindberg

doi:10.3847/2041-8205/821/1/L8

Isotopic ratios of carbon and oxygen in Titan's CO using ALMA

Joseph Serigano, C. A. Nixon, M. A. Cordiner, P. G J Irwin, Nicholas A Teanby, S. B. Charnley, J. E. Lindberg

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (Academic Journal) › peer-review

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Abstract

We report interferometric observations of carbon monoxide (CO) and its isotopologues in Titan's atmosphere using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). The following transitions were detected: CO (J = 1-0, 2-1, 3-2, 6-5), ¹³CO (J = 2-1, 3-2, 6-5), C¹⁸O (J = 2-1, 3-2), and C¹⁷O (J = 3-2). Molecular abundances and the vertical atmospheric temperature profile were derived by modeling the observed emission line profiles using NEMESIS, a line-by-line radiative transfer code. We present the first spectroscopic detection of ¹⁷O in the outer solar system with C¹⁷O detected at >8σ confidence. The abundance of CO was determined to be 49.6 ± 1.8 ppm, assumed to be constant with altitude, with isotopic ratios ¹²C/¹³C = 89.9 ± 3.4, ¹⁶O/¹⁸O = 486 ± 22, and ¹⁶O/¹⁷O = 2917 ± 359. The measurements of ¹²C/¹³C and ¹⁶O/¹⁸O ratios are the most precise values obtained in Titan's atmospheric CO to date. Our results are in good agreement with previous studies and suggest no significant deviations from standard terrestrial isotopic ratios.

Original language	English
Article number	L8
Number of pages	6
Journal	Astrophysical Journal Letters
Volume	821
Issue number	1
Early online date	7 Apr 2016
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8205/821/1/L8
Publication status	Published - 10 Apr 2016

Keywords

planets and satellites: atmospheres
planets and satellites: individual (Titan)
techniques: imaging spectroscopy
techniques: interferometric

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10.3847/2041-8205/821/1/L8

apjl_821_1_L8
This is the final published version of the article (version of record). It first appeared online via AAS at iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8205/821/1/L8/meta. Please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher.
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3 Finished

Research into planetary formation at Bristol.
Elliott, T. R.
1/04/15 → 28/02/19
Project: Research
Nick Teanby's Leverhulme Prize
Teanby, N. A.
1/03/11 → 1/03/14
Project: Research
Mars and Titan's atmosphere and interior
Teanby, N. A.
1/07/10 → 1/10/13
Project: Research

Cite this

@article{845389de80e54680afe6496cc9b23ac1,

title = "Isotopic ratios of carbon and oxygen in Titan's CO using ALMA",

abstract = "We report interferometric observations of carbon monoxide (CO) and its isotopologues in Titan's atmosphere using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). The following transitions were detected: CO (J = 1-0, 2-1, 3-2, 6-5), 13CO (J = 2-1, 3-2, 6-5), C18O (J = 2-1, 3-2), and C17O (J = 3-2). Molecular abundances and the vertical atmospheric temperature profile were derived by modeling the observed emission line profiles using NEMESIS, a line-by-line radiative transfer code. We present the first spectroscopic detection of 17O in the outer solar system with C17O detected at >8σ confidence. The abundance of CO was determined to be 49.6 ± 1.8 ppm, assumed to be constant with altitude, with isotopic ratios 12C/13C = 89.9 ± 3.4, 16O/18O = 486 ± 22, and 16O/17O = 2917 ± 359. The measurements of 12C/13C and 16O/18O ratios are the most precise values obtained in Titan's atmospheric CO to date. Our results are in good agreement with previous studies and suggest no significant deviations from standard terrestrial isotopic ratios.",

keywords = "planets and satellites: atmospheres, planets and satellites: individual (Titan), techniques: imaging spectroscopy, techniques: interferometric",

author = "Joseph Serigano and Nixon, {C. A.} and Cordiner, {M. A.} and Irwin, {P. G J} and Teanby, {Nicholas A} and Charnley, {S. B.} and Lindberg, {J. E.}",

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AU - Serigano, Joseph

AU - Nixon, C. A.

AU - Cordiner, M. A.

AU - Irwin, P. G J

AU - Teanby, Nicholas A

AU - Charnley, S. B.

AU - Lindberg, J. E.

PY - 2016/4/10

Y1 - 2016/4/10

N2 - We report interferometric observations of carbon monoxide (CO) and its isotopologues in Titan's atmosphere using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). The following transitions were detected: CO (J = 1-0, 2-1, 3-2, 6-5), 13CO (J = 2-1, 3-2, 6-5), C18O (J = 2-1, 3-2), and C17O (J = 3-2). Molecular abundances and the vertical atmospheric temperature profile were derived by modeling the observed emission line profiles using NEMESIS, a line-by-line radiative transfer code. We present the first spectroscopic detection of 17O in the outer solar system with C17O detected at >8σ confidence. The abundance of CO was determined to be 49.6 ± 1.8 ppm, assumed to be constant with altitude, with isotopic ratios 12C/13C = 89.9 ± 3.4, 16O/18O = 486 ± 22, and 16O/17O = 2917 ± 359. The measurements of 12C/13C and 16O/18O ratios are the most precise values obtained in Titan's atmospheric CO to date. Our results are in good agreement with previous studies and suggest no significant deviations from standard terrestrial isotopic ratios.

AB - We report interferometric observations of carbon monoxide (CO) and its isotopologues in Titan's atmosphere using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). The following transitions were detected: CO (J = 1-0, 2-1, 3-2, 6-5), 13CO (J = 2-1, 3-2, 6-5), C18O (J = 2-1, 3-2), and C17O (J = 3-2). Molecular abundances and the vertical atmospheric temperature profile were derived by modeling the observed emission line profiles using NEMESIS, a line-by-line radiative transfer code. We present the first spectroscopic detection of 17O in the outer solar system with C17O detected at >8σ confidence. The abundance of CO was determined to be 49.6 ± 1.8 ppm, assumed to be constant with altitude, with isotopic ratios 12C/13C = 89.9 ± 3.4, 16O/18O = 486 ± 22, and 16O/17O = 2917 ± 359. The measurements of 12C/13C and 16O/18O ratios are the most precise values obtained in Titan's atmospheric CO to date. Our results are in good agreement with previous studies and suggest no significant deviations from standard terrestrial isotopic ratios.

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Isotopic ratios of carbon and oxygen in Titan's CO using ALMA

Abstract

Keywords

Access to Document

Research into planetary formation at Bristol.

Nick Teanby's Leverhulme Prize

Mars and Titan's atmosphere and interior

Cite this