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G. Schubert (UCLA), D. A. Lamb, M.P. Hickey (Clemson University), R.L. Walterscheid (The Aerospace Corporation)
We use a numerical full-wave model to study the possibility that the dissipation of two upward propagating internal gravity waves, identified in the temperature measurements of the Galileo Probe, provide the energy to maintain Jupiter’s high thermospheric temperatures. This study differs from our previous modeling study by including the additional effects of an ionosphere on the (Joule) dissipation of these two gravity waves. The electron density profile we use is a simple Chapman layer that approximates observed electron density profiles. One of the modeled waves is not significantly affected by the inclusion of an ionosphere because it is dissipated at low altitudes by molecular viscosity and thermal conduction (on the bottom side of the electron density profile). The dissipation of the second wave is sensitive to the inclusion of Joule dissipation. For this wave the heat input to the thermosphere is increased significantly by the inclusion of ion drag. This leads to a more substantial contribution of gravity waves to the observed temperature profile than previously determined. For our nominal electron density profile we find that the dissipation of these gravity waves can heat the upper thermosphere with a contribution as much as 165 K to the steady-state temperature. This work was supported by a grant from the NASA Planetary Atmospheres Program.
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 34, #3< br> © 2002. The American Astronomical Soceity.