The atmospheric structure and dynamical properties of Neptune derived from ground-based and IUE spectrophotometry

Journal Article · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Icarus (International Journal of the Solar System); (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0019-1035(90)90104-H· OSTI ID:6642933

Baines, K H; Smith, WM H ^[1]

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1. JPL, Pasadena, CA (USA) Washington Univ., Saint Louis, MO (USA)

A wide range of recent full-disk spectral observations is used to constrain the atmospheric structure and dynamical properties of Neptune; analytical determinations are made of the abundances of such spectrally active gas species as the deep-atmosphere CH4 molar fraction and the mean ortho/para hydrogen ratio in the visible atmosphere, as well as stratospheric and tropospheric aerosol properties. Compared to Uranus, the greater abundance and shorter lifetimes of Neptunian particulates in the stratospheric region irradiated by the solar UV flux indicate that such radiation is the darkening agent of stratospheric aerosols on both planets. 94 refs.

• OSTI ID: 6642933
• Journal Information: Icarus (International Journal of the Solar System); (USA), Journal Name: Icarus (International Journal of the Solar System); (USA) Vol. 85; ISSN ICRSA; ISSN 0019-1035
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABUNDANCE
AEROSOLS
ALBEDO
ATMOSPHERES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
DYNAMICS
ELEMENT ABUNDANCE
LIFETIME
MECHANICS
NEPTUNE PLANET
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
PLANETS
RADIATIONS
SOLAR RADIATION
SOLS
SPECTROPHOTOMETRY
STELLAR RADIATION