Kinetics of Titan

As we know, Titan has one of the most interesting atmospheres known to scientists. It is one of the few atmospheres that we think may be capable of sustaining life. Although, we know a lot about Titan, it still continues to surprise us whenever we look closer.

Titan's Haze

One thing that continues to intrigue us about Titan is the orange colored haze that surrounds the moon. This orange haze is what shields Titan from the sun; this also makes it difficult for us to study its surface. So what is the orange haze that is causing this problem? Scientists for the past 20 years have been trying to figure it out. The problem is that scientist could not get quality data in order to replicate the scenario. However, with recent data from the Cassini spacecraft that is investigating Saturn, scientist determined that the haze forms when ethynyl radicals react with hydrocarbons. Thermochemically, scientists understand the reaction however, they still cannot figure out the kinetics behind it.

Possible Molecules Involved with the Mechanism
(Far Left: Ethynyl Radical Far Right: Polyyne Triacetylene)

It was determined that this reaction has a bimolecular mechanism, but a plausible mechanism still has not been found. The conditions on Titan are nearly impossible to recreate because they are so different and because our data is not as accurate as we need it to be. In one proposed theory, polyyne triacetylene was thought to be an intermediate that was formed during this process. This is one of the only feasible options in Titan’s cold atmosphere. However further experimentation needs to be done for this mechanism to get legitimate consideration.