Depletion of Ammonia Gas onto Jovian Ices

Details Depletion of Ammonia Gas onto Jovian Ices Depletion of Ammonia Gas onto Jovian Ices

Oct 2010

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010dps....42.4815w&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #42, #48.15

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Scientific paper

The microwave spectrum of Jupiter is consistent with supersolar ammonia deeper than 6 bar, and subsolar ammonia at pressures less than 2 bar. Because the Galileo Probe Mass Spectrometer measured a deep NH3/H2 mixing ratio of 6.4x10-4---or five times the protosolar ratio---the microwave data show that there must be a global-scale depletion mechanism for ammonia gas, operating between the 2 and 6 bar levels. Candidate depletion mechanisms include dynamics, condensation of species with higher nitrogen fractions than NH4SH (including clathrates), and adsorption of ammonia onto NH4SH or water ices.
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We have begun laboratory experiments designed to measure the uptake of ammonia by H2O and H2O-NH4SH ice mixtures. We also plan model calculations to apply the experimental results to Jupiter's atmosphere and quantify the effect of ammonia uptake by ices. The laboratory study uses a Knudsen cell apparatus in a temperature regime (130-250 K) appropriate to the troposphere of Jupiter around the 2-4 bar pressure level, where the microwave data indicate depletion of ammonia gas. We will discuss the key parameters and processes that influence the ammonia uptake and their relevance to Jupiter's atmosphere. This work is supported by the NASA Planetary Atmospheres Program.

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