Variability of Lyman-alpha emission from Jupiter

Journal Article · Sat Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1979 · Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/183128· OSTI ID:5730380

Cochran, W D; Barker, E S

The Jovian L..cap alpha.. emission line was reobserved in 1978 March using the high-resolution spectrometer of the Copernicus satellite. An intensity of 8.3 +- 2.9 kilorayleighs was measured. This value represents a significant increase in intensity over previous (1976) Copernicus observations, but is lower than the recent (1979) values obtained by Voyager 1 and IUE. The increase in intensity has been accompanied by a significant increase in line width givin strong support to the theory that the emission results from resonant scattering of the solar L..cap alpha.. line by H atoms in the upper Jovian atmosphere. The strength of Jovian L..cap alpha.. emission correlates well with the level of solar activity. The solar extreme ultraviolet radiation varies with the solar cycle. This radiation causes the dissociation of H/sub 2/ and CH/sub 4/ into H atoms in the Jovian atmosphere. Therefore, in times of high solar activity, the H column density will increase, causing the observed stronger Jovian L..cap alpha.. emission.

• Research Organization: McDonald Observatory and Department of Astronomy, University of Texas at Austin
• OSTI ID: 5730380
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States), Vol. 234:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
JUPITER PLANET
LYMAN LINES
ABUNDANCE
EMISSION SPECTRA
ENERGY SPECTRA
EXTREME ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
HYDROGEN
LINE WIDTHS
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR RADIATION
ATMOSPHERES
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
NONMETALS
PLANETS
RADIATIONS
SPECTRA
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
640107* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Planetary Phenomena