Physics
Scientific paper
Oct 1986
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1986joat.conf..264h&link_type=abstract
In NASA. Goddard Inst. for Space Studies The Jovian Atmospheres p 264-270 (SEE N87-17598 09-91)
Physics
Mass Distribution, Neptune Atmosphere, Oblate Spheroids, Planetary Cores, Planetary Rotation, Temperature Gradients, Atmospheric Pressure, Atmospheric Temperature, Hydrostatics, Stellar Occultation
Scientific paper
Recent observations of a stellar occultation by Neptune give an oblateness of 0.022 + or - 0.004 for Neptune's atmosphere at the 1-microbar pressure level. This results is consistent with hydrostatic equilibrium at a uniform atmospheric rotation period of 15 hours, although the error bars on quantities used in the calculation are such that an 18-hour period is not excluded. The oblateness of a planetary atmosphere is determined from stellar occultations by measuring the times at which a specified point on immersion or emersion occultation profiles is reached. Whether this standard procedure for deriving the shape of the atmosphere is consistent with what is known about vertical and horizontal temperature gradients in Neptune's atmosphere is evaluated. The nature of the constraint placed on the interior mass distribution by an oblateness determined in this manner is consided, as is the effects of possible differential rotation. A 15-hour Neptune internal mass distribution is approximately homologous to Uranus', but an 18-hour period is not. The implications for Neptune's interior structure if its body rotation period is actually 18 hours are discussed.
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