Mapping of the Methane Absorption Distribution on Saturn's Disk from CCD-observations near the Ring Plane Crossing in 1995

Details Mapping of the Methane Absorption Distribution on Saturn's Disk from CCD-observations near the Ring Plane Crossing in 1995 Mapping of the Methane Absorption Distribution on Saturn's Disk from CCD-observations near the Ring Plane Crossing in 1995

Sep 1996

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1996dps....28.1903t&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #28, #19.03; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 28, p.1128

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Scientific paper

Two sets of spatially-resolved CCD-spectra (500-980 nm) of Saturn were taken with 1-m telescope and low-dispersion spectrograph 19 September 1995 as a part of wider program of the Saturn observations which were realised in summer and fall of 1995. Each set consisted of 16 zonal spectra registered with the exposure time 30 s at the slit oriented in parallel to the equator of planet and crossed the disk at different latitudes in both hemispheres (Northern and Southern). The spectra were divided on the ring spectrum and the central depths and equivalent widths of five methane absorption bands (centered on 619, 667, 725, 798, and 887 nm) were determined for about 530 points on Saturn's disk. The North-South asymmetry of the absorption distribution is clearly expressed as well as the brightness asymmetry in continuum. The maximum of the absorption for all methane bands lies on the planetographic latitude about 60-70 N and the absorption decreases towards equator. In Southern hemisphere the equivalent widths of bands are approximately 1.3 times lower than in Northern hemisphere at the same latitudes. The latitudinal variations of the Minnaert limb darkening coefficients (Kd) were derived from good Saturn CCD-image measurements for the same night. They show also very noticeable differences of Northern and Southern hemispheres: lowest values of Kd are observed at latitudes 30-60 N, highest Kd (about 0.2-0.3 more) are at northern part of the equatorial belt and they decrease to southern latitudes with minima at 20-35 S, although these minimal values of Kd are about 0.1 more than at 30-60 N. All these data should be considered in terms of different models of the vertical structure of Saturn's atmosphere and clouds. This work was supported in part by Kazakhstan Science Foundation and European Southern Observatory.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Mapping of the Methane Absorption Distribution on Saturn's Disk from CCD-observations near the Ring Plane Crossing in 1995 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 Mapping of the Methane Absorption Distribution on Saturn's Disk from CCD-observations near the Ring Plane Crossing in 1995, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Mapping of the Methane Absorption Distribution on Saturn's Disk from CCD-observations near the Ring Plane Crossing in 1995 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1461803