Nebular water depletion as the cause of Jupiter's low oxygen abundance

Details Nebular water depletion as the cause of Jupiter's low oxygen abundance Nebular water depletion as the cause of Jupiter's low oxygen abundance

2012-04-17

arxiv.org/abs/1204.3887v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Earth and Planetary Astrophysics

Accepted for publication in Astrophysical Journal Letters

Scientific paper

Motivated by recent spectroscopic observations suggesting that atmospheres of some extrasolar giant-planets are carbon-rich, i.e. carbon/oxygen ratio (C/O) $\ge$ 1, we find that the whole set of compositional data for Jupiter is consistent with the hypothesis that it be a carbon-rich giant planet. We show that the formation of Jupiter in the cold outer part of an oxygen-depleted disk (C/O $\sim$1) reproduces the measured Jovian elemental abundances at least as well as the hitherto canonical model of Jupiter formed in a disk of solar composition (C/O = 0.54). The resulting O abundance in Jupiter's envelope is then moderately enriched by a factor of $\sim$2 $\times$ solar (instead of $\sim$7 $\times$ solar) and is found to be consistent with values predicted by thermochemical models of the atmosphere. That Jupiter formed in a disk with C/O $\sim$1 implies that water ice was heterogeneously distributed over several AU beyond the snow line in the primordial nebula and that the fraction of water contained in icy planetesimals was a strong function of their formation location and time. The Jovian oxygen abundance to be measured by NASA's Juno mission en route to Jupiter will provide a direct and strict test of our predictions.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Nebular water depletion as the cause of Jupiter's low oxygen abundance 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 Nebular water depletion as the cause of Jupiter's low oxygen abundance, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Nebular water depletion as the cause of Jupiter's low oxygen abundance will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-290726