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

Journal article

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.

Authors: Serigano, J; Nixon, C; Cordiner, M; Irwin, P; Teanby, N

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: IOP Publishing
• Journal: Astrophysical Journal Letters
• Volume: 821
• Issue: 1
• Pages: L8-L8
• Publication date: 2016-04-07
• Acceptance date: 2016-02-20
• DOI: 10.3847/2041-8205/821/1/L8
• EISSN: 2041-8213
• ISSN: 2041-8205
• Keywords: SBTMR; techniques: imaging spectroscopy; planets and satellites: atmospheres; planets and satellites: individual (Titan); techniques: interferometric