C4H2, HC3N and C2N2 in Titan's atmosphere

Organic environments on Saturn’s moon, Titan: Simulating chemical reactions and analyzing products by FT-ICR and ion-trap mass spectrometry

“…T itan, the largest of Saturn's moons, is known to possess a rich organic environment of important relevance to astrobiology, prebiotic earth chemistry, and the origin of life, since the organics have been protected from damaging particles and UV radiation owing to a thick atmosphere. Many small organic compounds have been detected in Titan's upper atmosphere as a result of Voyager [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] and subsequent modeling studies [9,10] of the organic and atmospheric haze chemistry are resulting in a refined picture of this complex CHN laboratory. Beginning in 2005, we should have a refined global inventory of low molecular weight organic molecules present in the atmosphere as well as some secondary information regarding higher mass organic aerosols presented to the surface of Titan as a result of the Cassini-Huygens mission [11,12].…”

Reactions of diacetylene radical cation with ethylene

“…Diacetylene has been observed both on one of Saturn's moons, Titan, and on Saturn itself [1][2][3][4]. As ozone does on earth, diacetylene protects the lower atmosphere of the moon Titan from ultraviolet radiation from the sun.…”

Electronic spectra of linear HC5H and cumulene carbene H2C5

“…For instance, the presence of the even-numbered polyacetylenes HC 2n H (n = 1 − 3) in stellar outflows and planetary atmospheres was inferred from observations in the infrared (IR). [1][2][3][4] The odd-numbered counterparts are more difficult to synthesize and study in the laboratory because of their open-shell character. They have to be embedded in collision-free environments, i.e., low-temperature matrices or supersonic jets.…”