Spatial and temporal variability of infrared-observable properties of the Jovian atmosphere: A partial survey

• Main Author: Orton, Glenn S.
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Published: 1986
• Subjects: LUNAR AND PLANETARY EXPLORATION; North Magnetic Pole
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2060/19870008167

Examination of infrared characteristics of the Jovian atmosphere are made using Voyager IRIS mapping from 1979, groud based scanning from 1979-1983, and ground based mapping from 1983 to the present. In general, there is a strong correlation between tropospheric thermal properties and the visual cloud albedo for all observations. The Voyager IRIS maps show no strong evidence for day/night differences. Temperature differences diminish with depth in the troposphere. Temporal changes over several weeks indicate a high correlation between thermal and visual properties, although no changes in the distribution of para H2 and ortho H2 are seen. Stratospheric banded organization is different from the troposphere, and there is a temperature enhancement near the north magnetic pole. The spatial distributions of ammonia gas and ammonia ice absorption are different. Stratospheric temperatures exhibit seasonal hemispheric asymmetry. Other temperature changes at and below the 150-mb level correlate with changes in the Jovian visual structure. The stratospheric temperature field is uncorrelated with visual features or temperatures below the 150-mb level. Elevated temperatures are observed near both north and south magnetic pole positions. Both the meridional positions and the relative intensities of stratospheric banded organization change significantly, especially after 1982. Ground based mapping confirms a correlation between temperatures and various measures of cloud distribution. Complex and unexpected characteristics are observed in the stratospheric temperature field; these include dramatic temporal changes on short time scales.