Indication of an unusual atmospheric loss event at Titan

Observations from the Cassini mission revealed cryogenic water plumes from the small moon Enceladus are the dominant source of heavy material in Saturn’s magnetosphere. This fascinating insight indicates that a relatively small body dominates the entire giant planet magnetosphere. However, no evidence of magnetospheric impact was observed from Titan, despite this moon being much large with a very dense, unprotected (nitrogen dominated) atmosphere.  Interestingly, more recent data analysis of the entire Cassini dataset indicates Titan can experience previously unknown brief active periods. In particular, global magnetospheric energetic ion composition modifications were observed originating from an abrupt increase in Titan atmospheric loss. We characterize this event and discuss the possible causes as: (1) a methane cycle interruption; (2) an impact event; (3) enhanced surface activity; and/or (4) transiently enhanced solar wind exposure. Our results indicate that such activity can impact the entire magnetosphere and opens up the possibility for similar atmospheric loss events on other bodies.