Structure and evolution of Uranus and Neptune

Details Structure and evolution of Uranus and Neptune Structure and evolution of Uranus and Neptune

Jan 1980

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1980jgr....85..225h&link_type=abstract

Journal of Geophysical Research, vol. 85, Jan. 10, 1980, p. 225-234.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

52

Astronomical Models, Neptune (Planet), Planetary Evolution, Planetary Structure, Uranus (Planet), Cores, Equations Of State, Heat Transmission, Helium, Hydrogen, Moisture Content, Planetary Surfaces, Planetary Temperature, Rocks, Uranus, Neptune, Evolution, Structure, Interiors, Models, Cores, Mantles, Water, Methane, Ammonia, Ices, Hydrogen, Helium, Mass, Equations Of State, Temperatures, Heat Flow, Gravitational Fields, Abundance, Composition, Thermal Properties, Parameters, Chronology, Distribution, Rock

Scientific paper

Three-layer interior models of Uranus and Neptune with central rocky cores, mantles of water, methane, and ammonia (the 'ices'), and outer envelopes primarily composed of hydrogen and helium are presented. The models incorporate a new H2O equation of state based on experimental data which is considerably 'softer' than previous H2O equations of state. Corrections for interior temperatures approximately 5000 K are included in the models, and the thermal evolution of both planets is investigated using recent heat flow measurements. It is found that the evolutionary considerations are consistent with gravitational field data in supporting models with approximately solar abundances of 'ice' and 'rock'. Evolutionary considerations indicate that initial temperatures and luminosities for Uranus and Neptune were not substantially higher than the present value. Both planets apparently have relatively small approximately 1-2 earth masses) hydrogen-helium envelopes, with Neptune's envelope smaller than Uranus'. A monotonic trend is evident among the Jovian planets: all have central rock-ice cores of approximately 15 earth masses, but with hydrogen-helium envelopes which decrease in mass from Jupiter to Saturn to Uranus to Neptune.

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