Planetary Formation and Evolution Revealed with a Saturn Entry Probe: The Importance of Noble Gases

Details Planetary Formation and Evolution Revealed with a Saturn Entry Probe: The Importance of Noble Gases Planetary Formation and Evolution Revealed with a Saturn Entry Probe: The Importance of Noble Gases

2009-11-19

arxiv.org/abs/0911.3699v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Earth and Planetary Astrophysics

7 pages. Submitted to the Giant Planets panel of the 2013-2022 Planetary Science Decadal Survey

Scientific paper

The determination of Saturn's atmospheric noble gas abundances are critical to understanding the formation and evolution of Saturn, and giant planets in general. These measurements can only be performed with an entry probe. A Saturn probe will address whether enhancement in heavy noble gases, as was found in Jupiter, are a general feature of giant planets, and their ratios will be a powerful constraint on how they form. The helium abundance will show the extent to which helium has phase separated from hydrogen in the planet's deep interior. Jupiter's striking neon depletion may also be tied to its helium depletion, and must be confirmed or refuted in Saturn. Together with Jupiter's measured atmospheric helium abundance, a consistent evolutionary theory for both planets, including "helium rain" will be possible. We will then be able to calibrate the theory of the evolution of all giant planets, including exoplanets. In addition, high pressure H/He mixtures under giant planet conditions are an important area of condensed matter physics that are beyond the realm of experiment.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Planetary Formation and Evolution Revealed with a Saturn Entry Probe: The Importance of Noble Gases 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 Planetary Formation and Evolution Revealed with a Saturn Entry Probe: The Importance of Noble Gases, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Planetary Formation and Evolution Revealed with a Saturn Entry Probe: The Importance of Noble Gases will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-452362