Arsine in Saturn and Jupiter

Journal Article · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/185404· OSTI ID:6062737

Noll, K S; Geballe, T R; Knacke, R F

New spectra of Saturn and Jupiter are reported that show a prominent, heretofore unidentified absorption near 2126/cm. The observation is interpreted as unambiguous evidence for the presence of arsine, AsH3. The abundance of AsH3 appears to be almost a factor of two higher in Saturn than in Jupiter. The observed enrichments are consistent with the core instability model for the formation of giant planets. Models of arsenic chemistry that predict strong depletions of AsH3 at temperatures below 370 K are not consistent with the observations, suggesting that vertical convection or perhaps some other mechanism inhibits depletion. Arsenic is the first new element identified in a planetary atmosphere since germanium was found in Jupiter a decade ago. 19 references.

• Research Organization: Arizona Univ., Tucson (USA); Arizona Univ., Tucson (USA); Joint Astronomy Center, Hilo, HI (USA); New York State Univ., Stony Brook (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6062737
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 338; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABSORPTION SPECTRA
ABUNDANCE
ARSENIC COMPOUNDS
ATMOSPHERES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMISTRY
COSMOCHEMISTRY
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
JUPITER PLANET
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
PLANETARY EVOLUTION
PLANETS
SATURN PLANET
SOLAR SYSTEM EVOLUTION
SPECTRA