$^{13}$C isotopic ratios of HC$_3$N on Titan measured with ALMA

TL;DR

This study measures the $^{13}$C isotopic ratios of HC$_3$N in Titan's atmosphere using ALMA, revealing nearly uniform ratios that contrast with anomalies observed in the interstellar medium, suggesting different isotopic processes.

Contribution

First measurement of $^{13}$C isotopic ratios of HC$_3$N in Titan's atmosphere using millimeter-wave spectra from ALMA, providing new insights into isotopic processes in planetary atmospheres.

Findings

Nearly uniform $^{13}$C ratios in Titan's HC$_3$N

Contrasts with large anomalies in interstellar medium

Suggests different $^{13}$C processing in Titan's atmosphere

Abstract

We present the first determination of the abundance ratios of $^{13}$C substitutions of cyanoacetylene (HC$_{3}$N), [H$^{13}$CCCN]:[HC$^{13}$CCN]:[HCC$^{13}$CN] in Titan's atmosphere measured using millimeter-wave spectra obtained by the Atacama Large Millimeter-submillimeter Array. To compare the line intensities precisely, datasets which include multiple molecular lines were extracted to suppress effects of Titan's environmental conditions and observation settings. The [HC$^{13}$CCN]:[HCC$^{13}$CN] and [H$^{13}$CCCN]:[HCC$^{13}$CN}] ratios were obtained from 12 and 1 selected datasets, respectively. As a result, nearly the uniform [H$^{13}$CCCN]:[HC$^{13}$CCN]:[HCC$^{13}$CN] abundance ratios as 1.17 ($\pm$0.20) : 1.09 ($\pm$0.25) : 1 (1$\sigma$) were derived, whereas previously reported ratios for interstellar medium (ISM) have shown large anomalies that may be caused by $^{13}$C concentrations in precursors. The result obtained here suggests that $^{13}$C concentration processes suggested in the ISM studies do not work effectively on precursors of HC$_{3}$N and HC$_{3}$N itself due to Titan's high atmospheric temperature and/or depletion of both $^{13}$C and $^{13}$C$^+$.