The 2.8-14-MICRON Spectrum of Jupiter

Abstract

Observations of Jupiter have been made from 2.8 to 14 ~ with ~X/X 0.02. The most pronounced features of this spectrum are: (I) strong absorption in the range 3-4 JL, (2) high brightness temperature in the range 4.6-5.1 p, and (3) a brightness temperature that is relatively constant in the range 9-12 ~ A preliminary analysis indicates the following: (1) Most of the features of the 2&-l4-a spectrum of Jupiter can be accounted for on the basis of absorption by NH3, CH4, and 112. Upper limits to abundances of minor constituents are consistent with completely reduced solar abundance, except for SiH4. (2) The temperature decreases with height to a minimum (T~ «= 115° K), increasing again above this level to T »= 145° K. A model is suggested to maintain this temperature profile. (3) Ammonia is probably saturated around the 125° K level, and the abundance of 112 above the 125° K level is w 12 km atm