The middle-infrared spectrum of Saturn - Evidence for phosphine and upper limits to other trace atmospheric constituents

Abstract

Observations of Saturn at high spectral resolution in the middle-IR spectral region (2.5-5.6 microns) were obtained using a Fourier spectrometer at ground-based and airborne observatories. These spectra establish that PH3 exists on Saturn with an abundance at least equal to the solar P/H value, and probably enhanced by about a factor of 2. No evidence is found for gaseous or solid NH3 on Saturn throughout this spectral region, and upper limits to several other molecules (H2O, HCN, SiH4, and GeH4) are determined. Frequent comparisons of the spectral data for Saturn with observations and interpretations of IR studies of Jupiter show that these two planetary atmospheres are chemically similar, with major observational differences accounted for by reduced H2O and NH3 abundances in Saturn's colder atmosphere.