Thermal interactions of the Huygens probe with the Titan environment: Constraint on near-surface wind

The Huygens probe lost heat to its cold environment during its descent through Titanʹs atmosphere and after landing. Here I report measurements of the probeʹs thermal behavior and comparison with ground tests (1) to provide a context for other scientific investigations, such as the release of volatiles from the landing site, and (2) to place constraints on Titan environmental parameters directly, such as the thermal conductivity of the surface material and the strength of winds at the surface. Near-surface winds are constrained to be less than 0.2 m s−1, and probably much less.