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A low-temperature origin for the planetesimals that formed Jupiter
T Owen1, P Mahaffy, H B Niemann
1University of Hawaii, Institute for Astronomy, Honolulu 96822, USA. owen@ifa.hawaii.edu
Nature
|December 2, 1999
Summary
Giant planet formation models are challenged by new findings. The presence of noble gases in Jupiter suggests planetesimals formed at lower temperatures than previously thought, impacting planetary formation theories.
Area of Science:
- Planetary Science
- Astrochemistry
- Solar System Formation
Background:
- Giant planets exhibit higher abundances of heavy elements ('metals') than the Sun.
- Current models propose planetesimal accretion to explain these enrichments.
- Assumed planetesimals resemble modern Oort cloud comets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the formation conditions of planetesimals that contributed to giant planet composition.
- To reconcile discrepancies between predicted and observed volatile element abundances in giant planets.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of noble gas (argon, krypton, xenon) abundances in Jupiter's atmosphere.
- Comparison of observed abundances with predictions from solar composition and formation models.
Main Results:
- Argon, krypton, and xenon are enriched in Jupiter's atmosphere similarly to other heavy elements.
- This enrichment contradicts predictions based on high-temperature formation of cometary planetesimals.
Conclusions:
- The composition of Jupiter suggests that the planetesimals it accreted formed at lower temperatures than predicted by current giant planet formation models.
- This implies a revision of formation scenarios for the outer Solar System and its giant planets.
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