The methane influence as a self-polarized aerosol in Titan’s electrical activity

Abstract

Microphysics that generates lightning flashes is associated with the physical chemistry properties of the local occurrence atmosphere. The principal agent of the electrical activity in Titan could be the methane because of its self-polarization properties or pyroelectricity. We calculate the charge obtained by Titan’s thunderclouds due to methane, using the approximations of thunderclouds as telluric capacitors. We present a time dependent mechanism because the life time of thunderclouds is very low; for that, we employ common atmospheric approach used for the Earth, because the similitude of both atmospheres in their chemical compositions. In Titan’s atmosphere the methane concentration is bigger than the Earth, and the electrical activity is superior, so the observed phenomenology seems to agree with this model.