Methane photochemistry and methane production on Neptune

Journal Article · Wed Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Icarus; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0019-1035(88)90113-3· OSTI ID:6920103

Romani, P N; Atreya, S K

The Neptune stratosphere's methane photochemistry is presently studied by means of a numerical model in which the observed mixing ratio of methane prompts photolysis near the CH4 homopause. Haze generation by methane photochemistry has its basis in the formation of hydrocarbon ices and polyacetylenes; the hazes can furnish the requisite aerosol haze at the appropriate pressure levels required by observations of Neptune in the visible and near-IR. Comparisons of model predictions with Uranus data indicate a lower ratio of polyacetylene production to hydrocarbon ice, as well as a lower likelihood of UV postprocessing of the acetylene ice to polymers on Neptune, compared to Uranus. 65 references.

• Research Organization: NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD (USA); Michigan Univ., Ann Arbor (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6920103
• Journal Information: Icarus; (United States), Journal Name: Icarus; (United States) Vol. 74; 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
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
HYDROCARBONS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
METHANE
NEPTUNE PLANET
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
PLANETS
URANUS PLANET