On the H$_2$ abundance and ortho-to-para ratio in Titan's troposphere

Abstract

We have analyzed spectra recorded between 50 and 650 cm$^{-1}$ by the Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) aboard the Cassini spacecraft at low and high emission angles to determine simultaneously the H$_2$ mole fraction and ortho-to-para ratio in Titan's troposphere. We used constraints from limb spectra between 50 and 900 cm$^{-1}$ and from in situ measurements by the Huygens probe to characterize the temperature, haze and gaseous absorber profiles. We confirm that the N$_2$-CH$_4$ collision-induced absorption (CIA) coefficients used up to now need to be increased by about 52% at temperatures of 70-85 K. We find that the N$_2$-N$_2$ CIA coefficients are also too low in the N$_2$ band far wing, beyond 110 cm$^{-1}$, in agreement with recent quantum mechanical calculations. We derived a H$_2$ mole fraction equal to (0.88 $\pm$ 0.13) $\times$ 10$^{-3}$, which pertains to the $\sim$1-34 km altitude range probed by the S$_0$(0) and S$_0$(1) lines. The H$_2$ para fraction is close to equilibrium in the 20-km region. We have investigated different mechanisms that may operate in Titan's atmosphere to equilibrate the H$_2$ o-p ratio and we have developed a one-dimensional model that solves the continuity equation in presence of such conversion mechanisms. We conclude that exchange with H atoms in the gas phase or magnetic interaction of H$_2$ in a physisorbed state on the surface of aerosols are too slow compared with atmospheric mixing to play a significant role. On the other hand, magnetic interaction of H$_2$ with CH$_4$, and to a lesser extent N$_2$, can operate on a timescale similar to the vertical mixing time in the troposphere. This process is thus likely responsible for the o-p equilibration of H$_2$ in the mid-troposphere implied by CIRS measurements.