Updated Saturn Interior Models: Implications for Its Rotation Period

Physics

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[5714] Planetary Sciences: Fluid Planets / Gravitational Fields, [5724] Planetary Sciences: Fluid Planets / Interiors, [6275] Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects / Saturn

Scientific paper

We present updated interior models for Saturn constrained by the gravitational coefficients J2, J4, and J6 measured by Cassini. We show that Cassini’s accurate measurements narrow the range of uncertainty in total mass of heavy elements and the core mass of Saturn. Due to the realization that Saturn's rotation rate is unknown within a few minutes, models are derived for a range of rotation periods. We show that under the standard 3-layer model assumptions (Saumon and Guillot, 2004, ApJ, 609, 1170), interior models can be found only for solid-body rotation periods which differ from the Voyager period by only a couple minutes. We investigate the possibility of deep zonal winds and their affect on the gravitational field. Finally, we show that by introducing an additional free parameter to the interior model, i.e. a discontinuity in heavy elements within the planetary envelope, Saturn interior models can be found for a larger range of rotation periods.

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