The Stratification of Jupiter's Troposphere at the Galileo Probe Entry Site

Other

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

14

Scientific paper

Galileo Probe Atmospheric Structure Investigation (ASI) pressure and temperature sensor data acquired during the parachute descent phase have been used to derive the static stability structure of Jupiter's troposphere at pressure levels of 0.5-22 bars using three techniques. The first approach utilizes both the p-sensor and T-sensor data, but since the p-sensor's zero offset was significantly affected by the thermal anomaly in the probe, two other approaches using only T-sensor data have also been developed. By making the physically reasonable assumptions of equilibrium descent for the probe and hydrostatic balance of the atmosphere, an algorithm for deriving the background static stability from T-sensor measurements alone is developed. Regions with static stability 0.1-0.2 K km-1 are found at 0.5-1.7 bars, 3-8.5 bars, and 14-20 bars. Between these layers, regions of weaker static stability are present. Mean molecular weight gradients due to the vertical variation of water vapor abundance near the 11-bar pressure level appear to stabilize the atmosphere at this level. Oscillatory structures with vertical wavelength ~15-30 km and amplitude ~0.1-0.2 K are observed in the T-sensor data. For pressure <2 bars, these eddies are well above the noise level of the measurements and are consistent with the predictions of linear gravity wave theory for a wave with horizontal phase speed cx=160 m s-1 with respect to System III propagating through the static stability derived from the T-sensor data alone. They provide quantitative confirmation of the static stability derived from T-sensor data in the troposphere where p<2 bars. The observed static stability structure shows an inverse correlation with the regions of wind shear observed by the Doppler Wind Experiment: regions of highest shear in the horizontal wind appear to be associated with regions of lowest static stability. The particulate population detected by other experiments on the probe shows some correlation with the uppermost layer of static stability, suggesting enhanced solar energy deposition at these levels may play a role in producing the positive static stability.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

The Stratification of Jupiter's Troposphere at the Galileo Probe Entry Site 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 The Stratification of Jupiter's Troposphere at the Galileo Probe Entry Site, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Stratification of Jupiter's Troposphere at the Galileo Probe Entry Site will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-926979

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.