Methane (CH4) is the second most abundant gas in Titan’s atmosphere and, due to the cold surface temperature (-180°C) it forms lakes, rivers, and even rain. As a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA), I experimentally investigated the cohesion forces, or “stickiness”, between organic haze particle analogs in a hexane-rich (CH4 analog) humid environment using an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). Titan’s surface is coated with organic haze particles which are transported across the surface, but CH4 humidity could potentially affect their stickiness, thereby altering their mobility. Identifying this effect will provide critical insight into transportation mechanisms across Titan, such as wind speed, and the durability of haze particles, both of which will be essential for planning and interpreting data collected by NASA’s Titan mission, Dragonfly.
Future work
Utilizing my expertise in Titan atmospheric processes and surface geology, I plan to Investigate the Sources, Sinks and Replenishment Rate of CH4.