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10:35
Bringing the Visible Universe into Focus with Robo-AO
Published on: February 12, 2013
Jupiter cloud composition, stratification, convection, and wave motion: a view from new horizons
D C Reuter1, A A Simon-Miller, A Lunsford
1NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 693, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA. dennis.c.reuter@nasa.gov
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|October 13, 2007
Summary
New Horizons data reveals high-speed mesoscale waves and transient ammonia ice clouds in Jupiter's atmosphere. These findings offer new insights into the dynamics and stability of the gas giant's weather layer.
Area of Science:
- Planetary Science
- Atmospheric Dynamics
- Fluid Mechanics
Background:
- Jupiter's atmosphere exhibits complex weather patterns.
- Previous observations by Voyager hinted at mesoscale waves.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze new data from the New Horizons spacecraft regarding Jupiter's atmospheric phenomena.
- To investigate the stability and dynamics of Jupiter's weather layer.
Main Methods:
- Utilized instruments on the New Horizons spacecraft for atmospheric observations.
- Analyzed mesoscale wave data at high spatial resolutions (11-45 km).
- Conducted infrared spectral measurements over multiple Jupiter rotations (200-140 km resolution).
Main Results:
- Observed mesoscale waves with 300 km wavelengths and phase velocities exceeding local flow by 100 m/s.
- Detected transient ammonia ice clouds with lifetimes under 40 hours in upwelling regions.
- These phenomena provide insights into atmospheric dynamics below visible cloud tops.
Conclusions:
- The observed wave dynamics challenge existing atmospheric models.
- Transient ammonia clouds indicate active vertical transport processes.
- New Horizons data enhances understanding of Jupiter's atmospheric processes.
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