Interior structure of Neptune: Comparison with Uranus

Journal Article · Fri Aug 09 00:00:00 EDT 1991 · Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.253.5020.648· OSTI ID:5941554

Hubbard, W B ^[1]; Nellis, W J; Mitchell, A C; Holmes, N C; McCandless, P C ^[2]; Limaye, S S ^[3]

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1. Univ. of Arizona, Tucson (United States)
2. Univ. of California, Livermore (United States)
3. Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison (United States)

Measurements of rotation rates and gravitational harmonics of Neptune made with the Voyager 2 spacecraft allow tighter constraints on models of the planet's interior. Shock measurements of material that may match the composition of Neptune, the so-called planetary ice, have been carried out to pressures exceeding 200 gigapascals (2 megabars). Comparison of shock data with inferred pressure-density profiles for both Uranus and Neptune shows substantial similarity through most of the mass of both planets. Analysis of the effect of Neptune's strong differential rotation on its gravitational harmonics indicates that differential rotation involves only the outermost few percent of Neptune's mass.

• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5941554
• Journal Information: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States), Vol. 253:5020; ISSN 0036-8075
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
NEPTUNE PLANET
ROTATION
URANUS PLANET
GRAVITATION
GRAVITATIONAL FIELDS
HARMONICS
MOTION
OSCILLATIONS
PLANETS
661300* - Other Aspects of Physical Science- (1992-)