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Impact debris particles in Jupiter's stratosphere
R A West1, E Karkoschka, A J Friedson
1Earth and Space Sciences Division, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena 91109.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|March 3, 1995
Summary
Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 impacts on Jupiter created dark, sulfur- and nitrogen-rich organic aerosols. Particle coagulation explains the aerosol
Area of Science:
- Planetary Science
- Astronomy
- Cometary Science
Background:
- Periodic comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 impacted Jupiter.
- Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observed the aftermath.
Purpose of the Study:
- Analyze the composition and physical properties of impact debris.
- Understand aerosol evolution post-impact.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2) on HST.
- Analyzed spectral data to determine particle properties.
Main Results:
- Impact debris particles are dark brown, rich in sulfur and nitrogen.
- Aerosol volume reached 0.5 km radius sphere 1 day post-impact.
- Mean particle radius 0.15-0.3 µm in optically thick regions (1-200 mbar).
Conclusions:
- Organic material likely responsible for particle color.
- Particle coagulation models explain observed aerosol evolution over one month.