Structure of the Uranian atmosphere - constraints from the geometric albedo spectrum and H2 and CH4 line profiles

Journal Article · Sat Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Icarus; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0019-1035(86)90146-6· OSTI ID:5265362

Baines, K H; Bergstralh, J T

Recent high quality spectral observations have allowed the derivation of constraints on the atmospheric structure of Uranus. The present analysis, which is based on the detailed modeling of a broadband geometric albedo spectrum and high resolution observations of the H2 4-0 quadrupole and 6818.9-A CH4 features, yields (1) a family of models which parameterize an upper tropospheric haze layer, (2) a lower, optically infinite cloud at a given pressure level, (3) the cloud-level methane molar fraction, and (4) the mean ortho/para ratio in the visible atmosphere. The single scattering albedo of atmospheric aerosols exhibits a steep darkening between 5890 and 6040 A. 58 references.

• Research Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
• OSTI ID: 5265362
• Journal Information: Icarus; (United States), Journal Name: Icarus; (United States) Vol. 65; ISSN ICRSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ALBEDO
ALKANES
ATMOSPHERES
ELEMENTS
FRAUNHOFER LINES
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
METHANE
MORPHOLOGY
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
PLANETS
RADIATION TRANSPORT
URANUS PLANET