Chemical composition of Titan’s atmosphere and ionosphere: Observations and the photochemical model

Basic observational data on hydrocarbons, nitriles, and ions on Titan are compared with predictions of the photochemical model. Uncertainties of the observed abundances and differences between the data from different instruments and observing teams are comparable with the differences between the observations and the model results. Main reactions of production and loss for each species are quantitatively assessed and briefly discussed. Formation of haze by polymerization of hydrocarbons and nitriles and recombination of heavy ions is calculated along with condensation of various species near the tropopause. Overall deposition is a layer of 300 m thick for the age of the Solar System, and nitrogen constitutes 8% of the deposition. The model reproduces the basic observational data and adequately describes basic chemical processes in Titan’s atmosphere and ionosphere. The presented model results and the observational data may be used as a reference to chemical composition of Titan’s atmosphere and ionosphere.