Statistics
Scientific paper
Sep 2008
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008dps....40.5308c&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #40, #53.08; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 40, p.495
Statistics
Scientific paper
Cassini's Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) instrument has performed extensive observations of Saturn's atmosphere. We present an analysis of this dataset focusing on the meteorology of the features seen in the 5-micron spectral window. At this wavelength, scattering from Saturn's haze layers and cloud decks is minimal, and the thermal infrared emission from Saturn's deep atmosphere can be directly imaged. We present mosaics of Saturn's atmosphere using VIMS data for both hemispheres and discuss the morphology and general characteristics of the features backlit by Saturn's thermal emission. We have also constructed a zonal wind profile from VIMS feature tracking observation sequences using an automated cloud feature tracker. Comparison with previously constructed profiles from Voyager and Cassini imaging data reveals a broad similarity between all results, suggesting either a minimal latitudinal temperature gradient for Saturn's atmosphere or that the features tracked for all three profiles are generally the same. However, areas of apparent wind shear, particularly at jet stream cores, are present in the VIMS zonal wind profile. In particular, our analysis shows that the equatorial jet reaches speeds exceeding 450 m/s, similar to speeds obtained during the Voyager era. This suggests that recent inferences of relatively slower jet speeds of 275-375 m/s are confined to the upper troposphere and that the deep (>1; bar) jet has not experienced a significant slowdown. We also present statistics from our census of the numerous dark, spotted features seen in the VIMS mosaics. Most of these features have diameters less than 1000 km and reside in confined zonal bands. We compare our results with an analysis of features in the ISS mosaics of Saturn, and discuss the implications for the overall structure and properties of the atmosphere.
Brown Harvey R.
Choi David S.
Showman Adam P.
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