Intrinsic luminosities of the Jovian planets

Journal Article · Fri Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1980 · Rev. Geophys. Space Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/RG018i001p00001· OSTI ID:5471966

Hubbard, W B

We review available data and theories on the size and nature of interior power sources in the Jovian planets. Broad band infrared measurements indicate that Jupiter and Saturn have interior heat fluxes about 150 and 50 times larger, respectively, than the terrestrial value. While Neptune has a modest heat flux (approx.5 times terrestrial), it is clearly detected by earth-based measurements. Only Uranus seems to lack a detectable interior heat flow. Various models, ranging from simple cooling to gravitational layering to radioactivity, are discussed. Current evidence seems to favor a cooling model in which the escape of heat is regulated by the atmosphere. This model seems capable of explaining phenomena such as the uniformity of effective temperature over Jupiter's surface and the different emission rates of Uranus and Neptune. In such a model the heat radiated from the atmosphere may derived from depletion of a thermal reservoir in the interior, or it may derive from separation of chemical elements during formation of a core. Calculations indicate that in the earlier stages of cooling, Jupiter and Saturn may have more homogeneous abundances of hydrogen and helium and radiate energy derived from simple cooling. At a subsequent phase (which may be later than the present time), hydrogen and helium will separate and supply grativational energy. Either model is consistent with a hot, high-luminosity origin for the Jovian Planets.

• Research Organization: Department of Planetary Sciences and Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
• OSTI ID: 5471966
• Journal Information: Rev. Geophys. Space Phys.; (United States), Vol. 18:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
JUPITER PLANET
LUMINOSITY
NEPTUNE PLANET
SATURN PLANET
URANUS PLANET
BRIGHTNESS
EMISSION SPECTRA
HEAT FLUX
HEAT SOURCES
HELIUM
HYDROGEN
INFRARED SPECTRA
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
PLANETARY EVOLUTION
ATMOSPHERES
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
NONMETALS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLANETS
RARE GASES
SOLAR SYSTEM EVOLUTION
SPECTRA
640107* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Planetary Phenomena