Submillimeter and millimeter observations of Uranus and Neptune

Journal Article · Fri Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986 · Icarus; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0019-1035(86)90110-7· OSTI ID:6913355

Orton, G S; Griffin, M J; Ade, P A.R.; Nolt, I G; Radostitz, J V

Neptune and Uranus were studied at submillimeter and millimeter wavelengths for 2 yr using the UK IR telescope and the NASA IR telescope at Mauna Kea and the 12 dish at Kitt Peak, AZ. The brightness temperatures of both planets are provided at various wavelengths over the 0.35-3.3 mm interval scanned in the study. The present data, in combination with data from the 17 microns-3 mm interval scanned in the study. The present data, in combination with data from the 17 microns-3 mm interval taken during previous campaigns, are employed to model the temperature structures in the atmospheres of the two planets over the vertical range 100 mbar-8 bar. The data support the presence of active convection processes at the 1 bar level and deeper in both atmospheres. A static equilibrium however, exists between para-H2 and ortho-H2, along with a constant CH4 fraction of 2 percent. Deficiencies in the current database are detailed. 38 references.

• Research Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena; Queen Mary College, London, England; Oregon Univ., Eugene
• OSTI ID: 6913355
• Journal Information: Icarus; (United States), Journal Name: Icarus; (United States) Vol. 67; ISSN ICRSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ALKANES
ATMOSPHERES
CONVECTION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENERGY TRANSFER
HEAT TRANSFER
HYDROCARBONS
INFRARED RADIATION
MASS TRANSFER
METHANE
NEPTUNE PLANET
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHOTOMETRY
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
PLANETS
RADIATIONS
URANUS PLANET