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.
Sada
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PV
Planetary Systems Branch, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771, USA. psada@ix.netcom.com
Bjoraker
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Jennings
D E
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McCabe
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Romani
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PN
D000114:Acetylene / Q000032:analysis*; D055580:Astronomical Phenomena; D001256:Astronomy; D001272:Atmosphere / Q000737:chemistry*; D004980:Ethane / Q000032:analysis*; D005118:Extraterrestrial Environment; D018538:Jupiter; D008697:Methane / Q000032:analysis*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D010777:Photochemistry; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared; D013696:Temperature
D004980:Ethane; D000114:Acetylene; D008697:Methane