Interior Models of Uranus and Neptune

Details Interior Models of Uranus and Neptune Interior Models of Uranus and Neptune

2010-10-27

arxiv.org/abs/1010.5546v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Earth and Planetary Astrophysics

16 pages, accepted for publication in ApJ

Scientific paper

'Empirical' models (pressure vs. density) of Uranus and Neptune interiors constrained by the gravitational coefficients J_2, J_4, the planetary radii and masses, and Voyager solid-body rotation periods are presented. The empirical pressure-density profiles are then interpreted in terms of physical equations of state of hydrogen, helium, ice (H_2O), and rock (SiO_2) to test the physical plausibility of the models. The compositions of Uranus and Neptune are found to be similar with somewhat different distributions of the high-Z material. The big difference between the two planets is that Neptune requires a non-solar envelope while Uranus is best matched with a solar composition envelope. Our analysis suggests that the heavier elements in both Uranus' and Neptune's interior might increase gradually towards the planetary centers. Indeed it is possible to fit the gravitational moments without sharp compositional transitions.

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