Interior structure of Saturn inferred from Pioneer 11 gravity data

Details Interior structure of Saturn inferred from Pioneer 11 gravity data Interior structure of Saturn inferred from Pioneer 11 gravity data

Nov 1980

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1980jgr....85.5909h&link_type=abstract

Journal of Geophysical Research, vol. 85, Nov. 1, 1980, p. 5909-5916. Research supported by the California Institute of Technol

Physics

Geophysics

12

Planetary Gravitation, Planetary Structure, Planetology, Saturn (Planet), Adiabatic Conditions, Equations Of State, Helium, Hydrogen, Saturn Rings, Saturn, Pioneer 11, Cores, Interior, Structure, Gravity, Data, Models, Atmosphere, Density, Hydrogen, Helium, Abundance, Comparisons, Rings, Geophysics, Thermodynamics, Mass, Temperatures, Gravitational Moments, Spectrum, Radius, Equations Of State, Characteristics, Pressure, Doppler Observations

Scientific paper

The structure of Saturn is studied via a fourth-order theory for rotating planets and equations of state for the envelope which depend parametrically on the helium abundance, on the starting temperature for the adiabat, and on adopted forms of the pressure-density curve in the region of transition from molecular to metallic hydrogen. Models are constrained by the values of J2 and J4 obtained from the Pioneer-Saturn celestial mechanics experiment. Equations of state are tested by computing Jupiter models, which can now be subjected to a more stringent comparison with observed zonal harmonics. It is found that Saturn has a low-density hydrogen-helium envelope with no evidence for enhancement of H2O, CH4, or other abundant compounds. Such compounds are presumably located near the core. The helium mass abundance for Saturn's envelope appears to be in the range of approximately 0.12 to 0.19, but this result is very model-dependent. The helium abundance in the envelope of Jupiter is apparently very similar to that of Saturn.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Interior structure of Saturn inferred from Pioneer 11 gravity data does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Interior structure of Saturn inferred from Pioneer 11 gravity data, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Interior structure of Saturn inferred from Pioneer 11 gravity data will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1391598