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Cassini imaging of Jupiter's atmosphere, satellites, and rings.

The Cassini Imaging Science Subsystem acquired about 26,000 images of the Jupiter system as the spacecraft encountered the giant planet en route to Saturn. We report findings on Jupiter's zonal winds, convective storms, low-latitude upper troposphere, polar stratosphere, and northern aurora. We also describe previously unseen emissions arising from Io and Europa in eclipse, a giant volcanic plume over Io's north pole, disk-resolved images of the satellite Himalia, circumstantial evidence for a causal relation between the satellites Metis and Adrastea and the main jovian ring, and information on the nature of the ring particles.

Journal Article↗

Penetrative Convection and Zonal Flow on Jupiter

Measurements by the Galileo probe support the possibility that the zonal winds in Jupiter's atmosphere originate from convection that takes place in the deep hydrogen-helium interior. However, according to models based on recent opacity data and the probe's temperature measurements, there may be radiative and nonconvective layers in the outer part of the jovian interior, raising the question of how deep convection could extend to the surface. A theoretical model is presented to demonstrate that, because of predominant rotational effects and spherical geometry, thermal convection in the deep jovian interior can penetrate into any outer nonconvective layer. These penetrative convection rolls interact nonlinearly and efficiently in the model to generate and sustain a mean zonal wind with a larger amplitude than that of the nonaxisymmetric penetrative convective motions, a characteristic of the wind field observed at the cloud level on Jupiter.

Journal Article↗

The formation of Jupiter's faint rings

Observations by the Galileo spacecraft and the Keck telescope showed that Jupiter's outermost (gossamer) ring is actually two rings circumscribed by the orbits of the small satellites Amalthea and Thebe. The gossamer rings' unique morphology-especially the rectangular end profiles at the satellite's orbit and the enhanced intensities along the top and bottom edges of the rings-can be explained by collisional ejecta lost from the inclined satellites. The ejecta evolves inward under Poynting-Robertson drag. This mechanism may also explain the origin of Jupiter's main ring and suggests that faint rings may accompany all small inner satellites of the other jovian planets.

Journal Article↗

On the way to Jupiter: psychological dimensions of the Galileo mission.

Emotions are a seldom-studied facet of the creative process in science and engineering. This paper describes a study of emotions in scientists and engineers on the Galileo mission to Jupiter, at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, from 1987-90. Although the spacecraft was finally launched in 1989, and is now en route to Jupiter, the Callenger Shuttle accident severely threatened the Project's survival in 1986, placing many people under serious stress, and triggering depression in some. The paper describes the nature of the depressions (an overwhelming sense of futility), how people coped with the associated problems and emotions (social support was a critical variable), and how the depressions resolved. The findings have implications for future interrupted missions: managers can ease, and possibly help end, such depressions by empathizing with the experience of futility, by helping people to make significant shifts in task or position within a project, and by recognizing interim aachievement.

Astronomy↗

Migration of Jupiter-family comets and resonant asteroids to near-Earth space.

The orbital evolution of about 26,000 Jupiter-crossing objects and 1,500 resonant asteroids under the gravitational influence of planets was investigated. The rate of their collisions with terrestrial planets was estimated by computing the probabilities of collisions based on random-phase approximations and the orbital elements sampled with a 500 yr step. The Bulirsh-Stoer and a symplectic orbit integrator gave similar results for orbital evolution, but sometimes give different collision probabilities with the Sun. For orbits close to that of Comet 2P, the mean collision probabilities of Jupiter-crossing objects with terrestrial planets were greater by two orders of magnitude than for some other comets. For initial orbital elements close to those of Comets 2P, 10P, 44P, and 113P, a few objects (about 0.1%) entered Earth-crossing orbits with semi-major axes a < 2 AU and aphelion distances Q < 4.2 AU, and moved in such orbits for more than 1 Myr (up to tens or even hundreds of Myr). Some of them even got inner-Earth orbits (Q < 0.983 AU) and Aten orbits. A few comets achieve typical asteroidal orbits for hundreds of Myr. Most former trans-Neptunian objects that have typical near-Earth object orbits moved in such orbits for millions of years; thus, during most of this time they were extinct comet, if they did not disintegrate.

Journal Article↗

Doctors develop vascular center. Marketing new Jupiter, Fla., facility a collaborative effort.

Two interventional radiologists came to Jupiter Medical Center, Jupiter, Fla., as it was making a number of strategic expansion efforts. Together, the doctors developed a center devoted exclusively to their specialty, committing some of their time to the marketing and outreach education about interventional radiology. Using a multi-faceted marketing approach, the campaign has raised knowledge and awareness of The Vascular Institute to the point of reversing the outflow of patients.

Cooperative Behavior↗

Hydrocarbon photochemistry in the upper atmosphere of Jupiter.

The hydrocarbon photochemistry in the upper atmosphere of Jupiter is investigated using a one-dimensional, photochemical-diffusive, and diurnally averaged model. The important chemical cycles and pathways among the major species are outlined and a standard model for the North Equatorial Belt region is examined in detail. It is found that several traditionally dominant chemical pathways among the C and C2 species are replaced in importance by cycles involving C-C4 species. The pressure and altitude profiles of mixing ratios for several observable hydrocarbon species are compared with available ultraviolet- and infrared-derived abundances. The results of sensitivity studies on the standard model with respect to variations in eddy diffusion profile, solar flux, atomic hydrogen influx, latitude, temperature, and important chemical reaction rates are presented. Measured and calculated airglow emissions of He at 584 angstroms and H at 1216 angstroms are also used to provide some constraints on the range of model parameters. The relevance of the model results to the upcoming Galileo mission is briefly discussed. The model is subject to considerable improvement; there is a great need for laboratory measurements of basic reaction rates and photodissociation quantum yields, even for such simple species as methylacetylene and allene. Until such laboratory measurements exist there will be considerable uncertainty in the understanding of the C3 and higher hydrocarbons in the atmospheres of the jovian planets.

Astronomy↗

Observations of CH4, C2H6, and C2H2 in the stratosphere of Jupiter.

We have performed high-resolution spectral observations at mid-infrared wavelengths of CH4 (8.14 micrometers), C2H6 (12.16 micrometers), and C2H2 (13.45 micrometers) on Jupiter. These emission features probe the stratosphere of the planet and provide information on the carbon-based photochemical processes taking place in that region of the atmosphere. The observations were performed using our cryogenic echelle spectrometer CELESTE, in conjunction with the McMath-Pierce 1.5-m solar telescope between November 1994 and February 1995. We used the methane observations to derive the temperature profile of the jovian atmosphere in the 1-10 mbar region of the stratosphere. This profile was then used in conjunction with height-dependent mixing ratios of each hydrocarbon to determine global abundances for ethane and acetylene. The resulting mixing ratios are 3.9(+1.9)(-1.3) x 10(-6) for C2H6 (5 mbar pressure level), and 2.3 +/- 0.5 x 10(-8) for C2H2 (8 mbar pressure level), where the quoted uncertainties are derived from model variations in the temperature profile which match the methane observation uncertainties.

Acetylene↗

Partial pressures and nature of products. Application to the photolysis of PH3 and NH3 in the atmosphere of Jupiter and Saturn.

The photolysis of mixtures of gases containing NH3 or PH3 presents important differences mainly due to the strength of the X-H bond. On some examples, these differences are evidenced and the consequences for mixtures of gases containing these two compounds are shown: the photolysis of ammonia and ethylene mainly gives ethyl-, butyl- and hexylamine whereas the photolysis of phosphine and ethylene leads to ethyl- and vinylphosphine. When gaseous mixtures of NH3, PH3 and ethylene are photolyzed together, the presence of phosphine dramatically decreases the formation of nitrogen derivatives. The relevance of such lab studies to the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn is discussed.

Amines↗

Regioselectivity of the photochemical addition of phosphine to unsaturated hydrocarbons in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn.

Phosphine (PH3) has been observed in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn. We have studied the regioselectivity in the gaseous phase of the photochemical addition of PH3 to propene 1, propadiene 2, propyne 3, 1,3-butadiene 4 and 1,3-butadiyne 5. The photolysis were performed at 185 and 254 nm. The volatile products formed in these reactions were characterized by 1H and 31P NMR. The n-propylphosphine 6 and the isopropylphosphine 7 were the major products observed in the photolysis of PH3 with propene. The allylphosphine 8 was obtained when most of the light was absorbed by propene. This allylphosphine was the main product formed in the photolysis of PH3 in the presence of propadiene; the methylvinylphosphine 10 being not detected in these experiments, the reaction presents a very high regioselectivity. When most of the light was absorbed by propadiene, the propargylphosphine 9 was also observed. The photolysis of PH3 in the presence of propyne led to the E- and Z-1-propenylphosphines 12a,b and small amounts of methylvinylphosphine 10. Even when most of the light was absorbed by propyne, the propargylphosphine 9 was not observed. The Z-1-butene-3-ynylphosphine 13a and a mixture of primary phosphines containing the E-and Z-2-butenylphosphines 14a,b were obtained as major products when 1,3-butadiyne and 1,3-butadiene respectively where photolyzed with PH3. A high regioselectivity was thus observed in the photolysis of PH3 with an alkyne or an allene but alkenes led to mixtures of products.

Atmosphere↗

Chemical composition measurements of the atmosphere of Jupiter with the Galileo Probe mass spectrometer.

The Galileo Probe entered the atmosphere of Jupiter on December 7, 1995. Measurements of the chemical and isotopic composition of the Jovian atmosphere were obtained by the mass spectrometer during the descent over the 0.5 to 21 bar pressure region over a time period of approximately 1 hour. The sampling was either of atmospheric gases directly introduced into the ion source of the mass spectrometer through capillary leaks or of gas, which had been chemically processed to enhance the sensitivity of the measurement to trace species or noble gases. The analysis of this data set continues to be refined based on supporting laboratory studies on an engineering unit. The mixing ratios of the major constituents of the atmosphere hydrogen and helium have been determined as well as mixing ratios or upper limits for several less abundant species including: methane, water, ammonia, ethane, ethylene, propane, hydrogen sulfide, neon, argon, krypton, and xenon. Analysis also suggests the presence of trace levels of other 3 and 4 carbon hydrocarbons, or carbon and nitrogen containing species, phosphine, hydrogen chloride, and of benzene. The data set also allows upper limits to be set for many species of interest which were not detected. Isotope ratios were measured for 3He/4He, D/H, 13C/12C, 20Ne/22Ne, 38Ar/36Ar and for isotopes of both Kr and Xe.

Atmosphere↗

The excitation of the far ultraviolet electroglow emissions on Uranus, Saturn, and Jupiter.

We propose that the diffuse FUV emissions of H and H2 in excess of photoelectron excitation observed from the sunlit atmospheres of Uranus, Saturn, and Jupiter are produced by electric field acceleration of photoelectrons and ions locally in the upper atmospheres. This in situ acceleration is required to satisfy the many observational constraints on the altitude distribution, exciting particle energy, and total input energy requirements of the electroglow mechanism. We further suggest that a primary mechanism leading to this acceleration is an ionospheric dynamo, which is created in the same manner as the Earth's dynamo. The calculated altitude of charge separation by the neutral wind drag on ions across magnetic field lines is consistent with the observed peaks in electroglow emissions from the Voyager ultraviolet spectrometer limb scan data on both Saturn (near the homopause) and Uranus (just above the homopause). This dynamo action therefore appears to initiate the acceleration process, which must have the form of field-aligned potentials to accelerate the magnetized electrons. We propose that these field-aligned potentials are due to anomalous resistivity, which results from sufficiently high field-aligned currents in the ionosphere to generate plasma instabilities and therefore runaway electrons and ions above some critical lower initial energy. There are multiple candidate processes for inducing these currents, including polarization in the equivalent F regions and inner magnetospheric convection, and each of these processes should exhibit latitudinal structure. The acceleration of low-energy electrons in an H2 atmosphere preferentially results in FUV radiation and further ionization, whereas electron acceleration in a nitrogen/oxygen atmosphere such as the Earth's is dominated by elastic scattering and thus results in electric currents. Individual electron and proton collisions with H2 molecules will result in excitation, ionization, and heating, so that considerable enhancement of the ionospheric density and heating of the upper atmosphere will accompany the FUV emission.

Electrons↗

Looking for planetary moons in the spectra of distant Jupiters.

More than 100 nearby stars are known to have at least one Jupiter-sized planet. Whether any of these giant gaseous planets has moons is unknown, but here we suggest a possible way of detecting Earth-sized moons with future technology. The planned Terrestrial Planet Finder observatory, for example, will be able to detect objects comparable in size to Earth. Such Earth-sized objects might orbit their stars either as isolated planets or as moons to giant planets. Moons of Jovian-sized planets near the habitable zones of main-sequence stars should be noticeably brighter than their host planets in the near-infrared (1-4 microm) if their atmospheres contain methane, water, and water vapor, because of efficient absorption of starlight by these atmospheric components. By taking advantage of this spectral contrast, future space observatories will be able to discern which extrasolar giant planets have Earth-like moons capable of supporting life.

Astronomical Phenomena↗

Jupiter's atmospheric composition from the Cassini thermal infrared spectroscopy experiment.

The Composite Infrared Spectrometer observed Jupiter in the thermal infrared during the swing-by of the Cassini spacecraft. Results include the detection of two new stratospheric species, the methyl radical and diacetylene, gaseous species present in the north and south auroral infrared hot spots; determination of the variations with latitude of acetylene and ethane, the latter a tracer of atmospheric motion; observations of unexpected spatial distributions of carbon dioxide and hydrogen cyanide, both considered to be products of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 impacts; characterization of the morphology of the auroral infrared hot spot acetylene emission; and a new evaluation of the energetics of the northern auroral infrared hot spot.

Acetylene↗

Outburst of Jupiter's synchrotron radiation after the impact of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9.

Jupiter's nonthermal microwave emission, as measured by a global network of 11 radio telescopes, increased dramatically during the Shoemaker-Levy 9 impacts. The increase was wavelength-dependent, varying from approximately 10 percent at 70 to 90 centimeters to approximately 45 percent at 6 and 36 centimeters. The radio spectrum hardened (flattened toward shorter wavelengths) considerably during the week of impacts and continued to harden afterward. After the week of cometary impacts, the flux density began to subside at all wavelengths and was still declining 3 months later. Very Large Array and Australia Telescope images of the brightness distribution showed the enhancement to be localized in longitude and concentrated near the magnetic equator. The evidence therefore suggests that the increase in flux density was caused by a change in the resident particle population, for example, through an energization or spatial redistribution of the emitting particles.

Astronomical Phenomena↗

Galileo probe: in situ observations of Jupiter's atmosphere.

The Galileo probe performed the first in situ measurements of the atmosphere of Jupiter on 7 December 1995. The probe returned data until it reached a depth corresponding to an atmospheric pressure of approximately 24 bars. This report presents a brief overview of the origins and purpose of the mission. Science objectives, entry parameters and mission events, and results are described. The remaining reports address in more detail the individual experiments summarized here.

Ammonia↗

Solar and thermal radiation in Jupiter's atmosphere: initial results of the Galileo probe net flux radiometer.

The Galileo probe net flux radiometer measured radiation within Jupiter's atmosphere over the 125-kilometer altitude range between pressures of 0.44 bar and 14 bars. Evidence for the expected ammonia cloud was seen in solar and thermal channels down to 0.5 to 0.6 bar. Between 0.6 and 10 bars large thermal fluxes imply very low gaseous opacities and provide no evidence for a deep water cloud. Near 8 bars the water vapor abundance appears to be about 10 percent of what would be expected for a solar abundance of oxygen. Below 8 bars, measurements suggest an increasing water abundance with depth or a deep cloud layer. Ammonia appears to follow a significantly subsaturated profile above 3 bars. Unexpectedly high absorption of sunlight was found at wavelengths greater than 600 nanometers.

Ammonia↗

A disk of scattered icy objects and the origin of Jupiter-family comets.

Orbital integrations carried out for 4 billion years produced a disk of scattered objects beyond the orbit of Neptune. Objects in this disk can be distinguished from Kuiper belt objects by a greater range of eccentricities and inclinations. This disk was formed in the simulations by encounters with Neptune during the early evolution of the outer solar system. After particles first encountered Neptune, the simulations show that about 1 percent of the particles survive in this disk for the age of the solar system. A disk currently containing as few as approximately 6 x 10(8) objects could supply all of the observed Jupiter-family comets. Two recently discovered objects, 1996 RQ20 and 1996 TL66, have orbital elements similar to those predicted for objects in this disk, suggesting that they are thus far the only members of this disk to be identified.

Evolution, Planetary↗