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R. Moreno, A. Marten (LESIA, Obs. Paris-Meudon, France), H.E. Matthews (DRAO, NRC, Canada)
Since Shoemaker-Levy 9 collided with Jupiter in 1994, the IRAM 30-m Telescope (Pico Veleta, Spain) and the 15-m JCMT (Mauna Kea, Hawaii) have regularly observed Jupiter at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths respectively. Molecular trace species such as HCN, CO, CS and their isotopomers have been seen in the upper atmosphere since the collision. Because of the high spectral resolution attained, our data allow one to infer both temperature and abundances in Jupiter's stratosphere with relatively good spatial resolution near planetary oppositions.
We have used these data to monitor the latitudinal spreading since the impacts occurred (Marten et al. 1995), to look for changes in their abundances with time (Moreno et al. 2001, 2003), and to determine isotopic ratios (Matthews et al. 2002). Our last complete disk mapping observations took place in February 2004 and April 2005 using the IRAM Telescope and the JCMT, respectively. Here we report on the results of these recent measurements of CO, CS and HCN and compare them with our previous data taken from 1994 through 2003. Estimates of the respective total masses and implications for stratospheric dynamics will be discussed.
In an attempt to explain the long-term dispersion of these persistent molecular compounds, we had proposed a numerical model of latitudinal spreading using eddy diffusion processes (Moreno et al. 2003). Our latest results are used to refine the temporal evolution and present new predictions for changes in the coming decade.
IRAM is supported by INSU/CNRS (France), MPG (Germany) and IGN (Spain). The JCMT is operated by the Joint Astronomy Centre on behalf of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research, and the National Research Council of Canada.
References:
Marten, A. et al. 1995, Geophys. Res. Lett. 22, 1589-1592.
Matthews, H.E. et al. 2002. ApJ 580, 598-605.
Moreno, R. et al. 2001, Planet. Space Sci. 49, 473-486.
Moreno, R. et al. 2003, Planet. Space Sci. 51, 591-611.
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 37 #3
© 2004. The American Astronomical Soceity.