Benzene and Haze Formation in the Polar Atmosphere of Jupiter

Details Benzene and Haze Formation in the Polar Atmosphere of Jupiter Benzene and Haze Formation in the Polar Atmosphere of Jupiter

Apr 2003

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2003georl..30h..30w&link_type=abstract

Geophysical Research Letters, Volume 30, Issue 8, pp. 30-1, CiteID 1447, DOI 10.1029/2002GL016661

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Planetology: Fluid Planets: Atmospheres-Composition And Chemistry, Planetology: Solar System Objects: Jupiter, Atmospheric Composition And Structure: Aerosols And Particles (0345, 4801), Ionosphere: Auroral Ionosphere (2704), Ionosphere: Ion Chemistry And Composition (0335)

Scientific paper

Jupiter has a large magnetosphere that episodically precipitates large amounts of energy into the polar atmosphere, giving rise to intense auroras [Clarke et al., 1996; Grodent et al., 2000]. An important consequence of this energy influx is the production of a dark haze [Pryor and Hord, 1991], the formation mechanism of which was hitherto poorly known. Recent observations of benzene on Jupiter [Bézard et al., 2001; Flasar, 2002] provide new clues for a chemical and aerosol model for the formation of heavy hydrocarbon aerosols. The chemistry begins with the destruction of methane by energetic particles, followed by neutral and ion reactions, ultimately leading to the formation of benzene and other complex hydrocarbons, including multi-ring compounds which subsequently condense. High temperatures and effective eddy mixing engendered by the auroras enhance the formation of heavy hydrocarbons and aerosols. This mechanism may be relevant in the atmospheres of Saturn and extrasolar giant planets, and is an example of how a planetary magnetosphere may influence the chemical composition and climate forcing of the upper atmosphere.

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