The phase diagram of water and the magnetic fields of Uranus and Neptune

Details The phase diagram of water and the magnetic fields of Uranus and Neptune The phase diagram of water and the magnetic fields of Uranus and Neptune

Jan 2011

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011icar..211..798r&link_type=abstract

Icarus, Volume 211, Issue 1, p. 798-803.

Computer Science

10

Scientific paper

The interior of giant planets can give valuable information on formation and evolution processes of planetary systems. However, the interior and evolution of Uranus and Neptune is still largely unknown. In this paper, we compare water-rich three-layer structure models of these planets with predictions of shell structures derived from magnetic field models. Uranus and Neptune have unusual non-dipolar magnetic fields contrary to that of the Earth. Extensive three-dimensional simulations of Stanley and Bloxham (Stanley, S., Bloxham, J. [2004]. Nature 428, 151-153) have indicated that such a magnetic field is generated in a rather thin shell of at most 0.3 planetary radii located below the H/He rich outer envelope and a conducting core that is fluid but stably stratified. Interior models rely on equation of state data for the planetary materials which have usually considerable uncertainties in the high-pressure domain. We present interior models for Uranus and Neptune that are based on ab initio equation of state data for hydrogen, helium, and water as the representative of all heavier elements or ices. Based on a detailed high-pressure phase diagram of water we can specify the region where superionic water should occur in the inner envelope. This superionic region correlates well with the location of the stably-stratified region as found in the dynamo models. Hence we suggest a significant impact of the phase diagram of water on the generation of the magnetic fields in Uranus and Neptune.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The phase diagram of water and the magnetic fields of Uranus and Neptune 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 The phase diagram of water and the magnetic fields of Uranus and Neptune, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The phase diagram of water and the magnetic fields of Uranus and Neptune will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1596877