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

Journal Article · Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 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), Vol. 249:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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