[Previous] | [Session 11] | [Next]

[11.25] Spectral images of Jupiter's stratosphere, its temperature field and major coolants.

T.K. Greathouse (University of Texas at Austin), C.A. Griffith (Northern Arizona University), J.H. Lacy, M.J. Richter (University of Texas at Austin), B. Bezard (Obs. de Paris-Meudon)

We observed Jupiter from NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility using the new high-resolution spectrograph, TEXES, to measure the stratospheric temperature field and dominant coolants distributions. We recorded CH₄ emission lines to determine information on Jupiter's stratospheric temperatures at .1-20 mbars. Our spatially coincident observations of C₂H₂ and C₂H₆ emissions measure the radiative cooling with in the same pressure range. Hydrogen cyanide, introduced to the stratosphere by comet Shoemaker-Levy 9, also seen in emission provides information on the stratospheric wind fields. Our spectra were recorded at a resolving power of R=80,000-100,000, at spectral regions sampling 1226-1236 cm^-1 (CH₄), 743-747 cm^-1 (C₂H₂ & HCN), and 818-823 cm^-1 (C₂H₆). Observing in a scan mode we mapped the northern hemisphere of Jupiter, achieving full latitudinal coverage and extensive longitudinal coverage at each latitude. Here we present initial results including spatial maps of the emission lines and radiative transfer derivations of Jupiter's stratospheric temperature field. These data form the basis of an investigation of the energetics of Jupiter's stratosphere, its heating and cooling by radiative and dynamical mechanisms.

[Previous] | [Session 11] | [Next]