Detection of carbon monoxide in Jupiter

New, ground-based, 5-micron spectra of Jupiter have revealed the presence of a trace quantity of carbon monoxide in the lower atmosphere of the planet. A preliminary analysis suggests a number mixing ratio in the neighborhood of 10 to the minus ninth power and a column abundance of roughly 5 times 10 to the 17th power molecules per sq cm to a depth of at least 2 atmospheres. It is suggested that the observation might be confirmed by microwave techniques.