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The formation and evolution of Titan’s winter polar vortex

Author

Listed:
  • Nicholas A. Teanby

    (School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol)

  • Bruno Bézard

    (LESIA-Observatoire de Paris, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06, Univ. Paris-Diderot)

  • Sandrine Vinatier

    (LESIA-Observatoire de Paris, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06, Univ. Paris-Diderot)

  • Melody Sylvestre

    (School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol)

  • Conor A. Nixon

    (Planetary Systems Laboratory, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)

  • Patrick G. J. Irwin

    (University of Oxford, Clarendon Laboratory)

  • Remco J. Kok

    (Universiteit Utrecht)

  • Simon B. Calcutt

    (University of Oxford, Clarendon Laboratory)

  • F. Michael Flasar

    (Planetary Systems Laboratory, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)

Abstract

Saturn’s largest moon Titan has a substantial nitrogen-methane atmosphere, with strong seasonal effects, including formation of winter polar vortices. Following Titan’s 2009 northern spring equinox, peak solar heating moved to the northern hemisphere, initiating south-polar subsidence and winter polar vortex formation. Throughout 2010–2011, strengthening subsidence produced a mesospheric hot-spot and caused extreme enrichment of photochemically produced trace gases. However, in 2012 unexpected and rapid mesospheric cooling was observed. Here we show extreme trace gas enrichment within the polar vortex dramatically increases mesospheric long-wave radiative cooling efficiency, causing unusually cold temperatures 2–6 years post-equinox. The long time-frame to reach a stable vortex configuration results from the high infrared opacity of Titan’s trace gases and the relatively long atmospheric radiative time constant. Winter polar hot-spots have been observed on other planets, but detection of post-equinox cooling is so far unique to Titan.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicholas A. Teanby & Bruno Bézard & Sandrine Vinatier & Melody Sylvestre & Conor A. Nixon & Patrick G. J. Irwin & Remco J. Kok & Simon B. Calcutt & F. Michael Flasar, 2017. "The formation and evolution of Titan’s winter polar vortex," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-017-01839-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01839-z
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