Physics
Scientific paper
Nov 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006rspta.364.3121m&link_type=abstract
Royal Society of London Transactions Series A, vol. 364, Issue 1848, p.3121-3137
Physics
21
Planetary Atmospheres, Ionospheres, Thermospheres, Magnetospheres, Infrared
Scientific paper
We present a review of recent developments in the use of H3+ molecular ion as a probe of physics and chemistry of the upper atmospheres of giant planets. This ion is shown to be a good tracer of energy inputs into Jupiter (J), Saturn (S) and Uranus (U). It also acts as a ‘thermostat’, offsetting increases in the energy inputs owing to particle precipitation via cooling to space (J and U). Computer models have established that H3+ is also the main contributor to ionospheric conductivity. The coupling of electric and magnetic fields in the auroral polar regions leads to ion winds, which, in turn, drive neutral circulation systems (J and S). These latter two effects, dependent on H3+, also result in very large heating terms, approximately 5×1012W for Saturn and greater than 1014W for Jupiter, planet-wide; these terms compare with approximately 2.5×1011W of solar extreme UV absorbed at Saturn and 1012W at Jupiter. Thus, H3+ is shown to play a major role in explaining why the temperatures of the giant planets are much greater (by hundreds of kelvin) at the top of the atmosphere than solar inputs alone can account for.
et. al.
Miller Steve
Smith Chris
Stallard Tom
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