New Cloud Activity on Uranus in 2004: First Detection of a Southern Feature at 2.2 microns

Journal Article · Wed Feb 02 04:00:00 EST 2005 · Icarus

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2004.11.016· OSTI ID:15016781

Hammel, H B; de Pater, I; Gibbard, S; Lockwood, G; Rages, K

On 4 July 2004 UT, we detected one of Uranus' southern hemispheric features at K' (2.2 {micro}m); this is the first such detection in half a decade of adaptive optics imaging of Uranus at the Keck 10-m telescope. When we observed again on 8 July UT the core had faded, and by 9 July UT it was not seen at K' and barely detectable at H. The detection and subsequent disappearance of the feature indicates rapid dynamical processes in the localized vertical aerosol structure.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 15016781
• Report Number(s): UCRL-JRNL-211286
• Journal Information: Icarus, Journal Name: Icarus Vol. 175
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
AEROSOLS
CLOUDS
DETECTION
OPTICS