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Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Bringing the Visible Universe into Focus with Robo-AO
Published on: February 12, 2013
Jupiter's atmospheric composition from the Cassini thermal infrared spectroscopy experiment
V G Kunde1, F M Flasar, D E Jennings
1Department of Astronomy, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA. Virgil.G.Kunde.1@gsfc.nasa.gov
Abstract:
The Composite Infrared Spectrometer observed Jupiter in the thermal infrared during the swing-by of the Cassini spacecraft. Results include the detection of two new stratospheric species, the methyl radical and diacetylene, gaseous species present in the north and south auroral infrared hot spots; determination of the variations with latitude of acetylene and ethane, the latter a tracer of atmospheric motion; observations of unexpected spatial distributions of carbon dioxide and hydrogen cyanide, both considered to be products of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 impacts; characterization of the morphology of the auroral infrared hot spot acetylene emission; and a new evaluation of the energetics of the northern auroral infrared hot spot.
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