An Analysis of Infrared Images of Jupiter Impacted by a P/Shoemaker-Levy 9

Details An Analysis of Infrared Images of Jupiter Impacted by a P/Shoemaker-Levy 9 An Analysis of Infrared Images of Jupiter Impacted by a P/Shoemaker-Levy 9

Oct 1996

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1996jkas...29..245k&link_type=abstract

Journal of the Korean Astronomical Society, vol. 29, no. 2, p. 245-253

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Planet: Jupiter, Comet: Impact, Infrared: Imaging

Scientific paper

We have analyzed infrared (IR) images of Jupiter which was observed at the McDonald Observatory, Texas, U.S.A., during the P/SHoemaker-Levy 9 (SL9) impact period and about one week after the last impact. The IR images were obtained on the 2.7m telescope using a NICMOS array with filters to isolate the 1.5 micron NH3 band, the 2.3 micron CH4 band, the 2.12 micron H2 S(0) pressure-induced absorption, and the continua at 1.58 micron and 2.0 micron (short K-band). All images except those with the 1.58 micron continuum filter show bright impact sites against the relatively dark Jovian disk near the impact latitude of about 45 deg. S. This implies that dusts originated from the impacts reflect the solar radiation at high altitudes before absorbed by stratospheric CH4 , NH3 or H2. The impact sites observed with the 2.3 micron filter are conspicuously bright against a very dark background. The morphology of impact sites, G, L, and H at 2.3 and 2.12 micron filters shows clearly an asymmetric structure toward the incident direction of the comet fragments, in agreement with the studies of visible impact images obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope. Comparisons of reflectances of G, L, and H sites with simple radiative transfer models suggest that optically thick dust layers were formed at high altitudes at which methane absorption attenuates incoming sunlight only by about 1 %. The dust layers in these sites seem to form at about the same altitude regardless of the magnitude of the impacts, but they appear to descend gradually after the impacts. The dust layers have optical depths of 2 - 5, according to the models.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

An Analysis of Infrared Images of Jupiter Impacted by a P/Shoemaker-Levy 9 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 An Analysis of Infrared Images of Jupiter Impacted by a P/Shoemaker-Levy 9, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and An Analysis of Infrared Images of Jupiter Impacted by a P/Shoemaker-Levy 9 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1137091