Detection of hydrocarbons in Titan using high-resolution cross-correlation spectroscopy

Clicks: 18
ID: 327531
2026
Free PDF
Article Quality & Performance Metrics
Overall Quality
Not rated
Combines reader engagement with the AI quality analysis. This article has not been analysed, so there is no overall score — reader engagement is measured and shown alongside.
AI Quality Assessment
Not analyzed
Readership in this journal
Steady

Ranked #21 of 51 articles by views in RAS Techniques and Instruments

Most read Least read

Bar heights use a square-root scale.

Mint this article as an NFT
Not yet minted

Create a permanent, verifiable on-chain record of this article on the Scimatic Network. The NFT is held in your Journament account, and you can withdraw it to your own wallet at any time.

5 SUSD one-off · no wallet required
Sign in to mint
Abstract
Abstract High-resolution cross-correlation spectroscopy (HRCCS) is a powerful technique for detecting molecules whose individual spectral lines are too weak to be identified directly, but its sensitivity is limited by the availability and quality of high-resolution opacity data. Many molecules of atmospheric and astrobiological interest lack complete line lists, restricting traditional template-based searches. In this work, we use Titan as a controlled testbed to develop and validate a new cross-section-based methodology for HRCCS template construction. We analyse K-band CRIRES+ observations of Titan (1.99–2.48 μ m), and compute cross-correlation functions using both line-by-line and cross-section-based templates. Our analysis recovers known hydrocarbons such as methane (CH4) and acetylene (C2H2), and yields the first HRCCS detection of ethane (C2H6) with a significance of SNRpeak = 5.17 ± 0.07. The ethane detection was made possible exclusively through cross-section-based templates, as no high-resolution line list currently exists for this molecule. These results demonstrate that cross-section-based template construction is a practical and powerful strategy for extending HRCCS to molecules that currently lack reliable line lists, and establish Titan as a benchmark for calibrating molecular detection techniques that can be applied to both solar system and exoplanet atmospheres. Future applications of this approach to other ground-based high-resolution spectrographs, as well as to JWST’s highest-resolution modes and next-generation facilities such as the ELT, could significantly expand the inventory of molecules detectable in planetary atmospheres.
Reference Key
openalex_W7207866957 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors Maria Coelho, Rafael Rianço-Silva, Diogo Gonçalves, Pedro Machado, Zita Martins
Are you one of these authors? Claim your profile
Journal RAS Techniques and Instruments
Year 2026
DOI
10.1093/rasti/rzag068
URL
https://doi.org/10.1093/rasti/rzag068
Keywords Keywords not found

Citations

No citations found. To add a citation, contact the admin at info@scimatic.org

Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment on this article.