Investigating the Condensation of Benzene (C₆H₆) in Titan’s South Polar Cloud System with a Combination of Laboratory, Observational, and Modeling Tools

Abstract We have combined laboratory, modeling, and observational efforts to investigate the chemical microphysical processes leading formation of cloud system that formed at an unusually high altitude (>250 km) over Titan’s south pole after northern spring equinox. present here a study focused on C 6 H ice clouds 87°S. As first step our synergistic approach, we measured, for time, equilibrium vapor pressure pure crystalline low temperatures (134–158 K) representative atmosphere. Our laboratory data indicate experimental values are larger than those predicted by extrapolations found in literature calculated from higher-temperature measurements. used results along with temperature profiles mixing ratios derived acquired Cassini Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) as input parameters coupled microphysics radiative transfer Community Aerosol Radiation Model Atmospheres (CARMA). CARMA simulations constrained these were conducted derive particle size distribution, gas volume ratios, relative humidity, altitudes. The impact CIRS analysis was investigated resulted both cases benzene condensation occurring lower stratosphere previously thought. In addition, stratospheric abundances new saturation relationship ?1000× higher previous calculations between 150–200 km, which sizes.