Other
Scientific paper
Jul 2003
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2003hst..prop.9904s&link_type=abstract
HST Proposal ID #9904
Other
Hst Proposal Id #9904 Solar System
Scientific paper
The presence of lightning on Jupiter has been known for many years. It represents an important diagnostic of atmospheric characteristics below the visible cloud tops, within the water layer at a pressure 5 bar or more. Lightning on Jupiter is thought to be associated with convective water clouds, as on Earth, at cyclonic wind shear interfaces. Dayside detection, which would enable "routine" access to this important phenomenon, has never previously been achieved. Here, we propose an innovative use of the NICMOS MULTIACCUM rapid non-destructive readout capability, together with the very high spatial resolution afforded by NIC2 {0.075 arcsec/pixel, 250 km at Jupiter} to maximize our ability to detect and characterize Jovian lightning on the dayside of the planet. We propose two complementary observations: one to use the narrow filter centered on Paschen Alpha and the other, to use a medium band continuum filter that avoids methane absorption. By comparing these two passbands we expect to not only detect dayside lightning for the first time, but also obtain the first data on the spectrum of Jovian lightning at implicitly high spectral resolution {the F187N filter has 1% bandpass, which also further improves the contrast against reflected Solar light}. This will allow us to test laboratory analogues and models for the Jovian lightning and assess in a preliminary way the region of parameter space of relevance {pressure, temperature, composition}.
No associations
LandOfFree
Lightning on the Jovian Dayside 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 Lightning on the Jovian Dayside, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Lightning on the Jovian Dayside will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1133700