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[18.13] Vertical Structure Modeling of Saturn’s Upper Atmosphere from Narrowband Near-Infrared Imaging

D.M. Kuehn, K.D. Scarborough (Physics - Pittsburg State Univ.), N.J. Chanover (Astronomy - New Mexico State Univ.)

Narrow-band, high-resolution near-infrared images of Saturn were obtained on 12 and 13 Dec 2002 at Apache Point Observatory’s 3.5 m telescope using the GRIM II instrument. Saturn was imaged at 1.58, 1.70, 1.99, and 2.12 microns and these images were photometrically calibrated using standard stars. These particular wavelengths are associated with measurements of the continuum, strong methane-band absorption, a nearby pseudo-continuum and pressure-induced hydrogen absorption. Center-to-limb (CTL) scans of reflectivity were obtained from the images near the equator and at 25 degrees South latitude. The CTL scans were modeled using a multi-layer, adding-doubling code that includes the effects of multiple scattering. The models are being compared to previous results in an attempt to detect changes in Saturn’s upper atmospheric structure.

The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: dkuehn@pittstate.edu

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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 36 #4
© 2004. The American Astronomical Soceity.