Nature of the interior of Uranus based on studies of planetary ices at high dynamic pressure

Journal Article · Fri May 06 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.240.4853.779· OSTI ID:6992233

Nellis, W J; Hamilton, D C; Holmes, N C; Radousky, H B; Ree, F H; Mitchell, A C; Nicol, M

Data from the Voyager II spacecraft showed that Uranus has a large magnetic field with geometry similar to an offset tilted dipole. To interpret the origin of the magnetic field, measurements were made of electrical conductivity and equation-of-state data of the planetary ices ammonia, methane, and synthetic Uranus at shock pressures and temperatures up to 75 gigapascals and 5000 K. These pressures and temperatures correspond to conditions at the depths at which the surface magnetic field is generated. Above 40 gigapascals the conductivities of synthetic Uranus, water, and ammonia plateau at about 20 (ohm-cm)/sup -1/, providing an upper limit for the electrical conductivity used in kinematic or dynamo calculations. The nature of materials at the extreme conditions in the interior is discussed. 29 references, 3 figures.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6992233
• Journal Information: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States), Journal Name: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States) Vol. 240; ISSN SCIEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400201 -- Chemical & Physicochemical Properties
640106* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Cosmology
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ALKANES
AMMONIA
DATA
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
HYDRIDES
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INFORMATION
MAGNETIC FIELDS
METHANE
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLANETS
URANUS PLANET