Kinetic inhibition of CO and N/sub 2/ reduction in circumplanetary nebulae: Implications for satellite composition

Journal Article · Thu Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/159289· OSTI ID:5635214

Prinn, R G; Fegley, B Jr

In constrast to the solar nebula, the conversion of CO to CH/sub 4/ and of N/sub 2/ to NH/sub 3/ in the circumplanetary nebulae of the Jovian planets is fast enough relative to radial mixing and nebula cooling rates that CO and N/sub 2/ are minor constituents in the circumplanetary nebulae. Thus, although the Jovian planets may have accreted carbon and nitrogen from the solar nebula mainly in the form of CO and N/sub 2/, these species were then reprocessed within the circumplanetary nebulae to form mainly CH/sub 4/ and NH/sub 3/. Satellites of the Jovian planets which accreted in sufficiently cool parts of their circumplanetary nebulae are therefore predicted to retain large amounts of NH/sub 3/ and CH/sub 4/ in the form of clathrate hydrates and also very small but chemical important amounts of HCN.

• Research Organization: Department of Meterology and Physical Oceanography, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• OSTI ID: 5635214
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 249:1; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABUNDANCE
ALKANES
AMMONIA
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ELEMENTS
HYDRIDES
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
METHANE
NEBULAE
NITROGEN
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANETS
PROTOPLANETS
SOLAR NEBULA