Radiative-convective equilibrium models of Uranus and Neptune

Journal Article · Sat Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1986 · Icarus; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0019-1035(86)90145-4· OSTI ID:5227931

Appleby, J F

The present study of Uranus and Neptune radiative-convective equilibrium models gives emphasis to such aspects of the stratospheric energy balance as the influence of aerosol heating and convective penetration. The results obtained for Uranus imply that a continuum absorber may be a significant factor in the stratosphere despite the great distance from the sun. The results obtained for Neptune show that such a continuum absorber could significantly contribute to the energy balance within a localized stratospheric region, although it probably cannot furnish sufficient power to account for the observed IR spectrum irrespective of its vertical distribution. Attention is accordingly given to the convective penetration that could arise under such rapid vertical mixing that CH4's condensation cannot occur before the gas is carried above the condensation region. 64 references.

• Research Organization: California Institute of Technology (CalTech), Pasadena, CA (United States)
• OSTI ID: 5227931
• Journal Information: Icarus; (United States), Vol. 65
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
NEPTUNE PLANET
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
URANUS PLANET
AEROSOLS
HEATING
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
METHANE
STRATOSPHERE
ALKANES
ATMOSPHERES
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
HYDROCARBONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLANETS
SOLS
640107* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Planetary Phenomena