Experimental Simulation of Titan's Stratospheric Photochemistry: Benzene (C ₆ H ₆ ) Ices

We performed laboratory experiments to study the photochemical evolution induced by long-UV irradiation of benzene ices in Titan's atmosphere. The aim this was investigate whether photo-processed could lead formation aerosols analogs those observed stratosphere. Prior that, spectroscopic properties amorphous and crystalline were studied as a function temperature, using infrared spectroscopy. UV photolysis (? > 230 nm) led volatile photo-products, among which fulvene is identified, residue dominated ?CH IR features, demonstrating that pure aromatic-based polymeric structures are not sufficient explain composition stratospheric haze layer. However, we provide characterization long-UV-induced benzene-containing aerosol analogs, will contribute surface organics These data prime interest context future Dragonfly space mission.