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Nature 292, 693-698 (20 August 1981) | doi:10.1038/292693a0; Accepted 20 July 1981
Titan's atmosphere: temperature and dynamics
F. M. Flasar, R. E. Samuelson & B. J. Conrath
Abstract
In the lower atmosphere of Titan IR brightness temperatures exhibit meridional contrast 
3 K. Seasonal variations are absent because of the large radiative time constant. In the upper stratosphere meridional contrasts are 
20 K, consistent with 100 m s-1 cyclostrophic zonal winds, and the radiative time constant is short, implying a large seasonal variation in the temperature and wind field. The absence of longitudinal thermal structure implies that zonally symmetric flows effect the meridional transport of heat. A simple model yields meridional velocities 0.04 cm s-1 and vertical eddy viscosities 103 cm2 s-1 in the lower troposphere, and meridional velocities 5 cm s-1 in the upper stratosphere.
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