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Seasonal Variations in Triton's Atmospheric Mass and CompositionCondensed phases of gases which make up the bulk of Triton's atmosphere are likely to exist on Triton's surface in the form of solid or liquid polar caps which extend as far as 55 deg from the poles. The mass of Triton's atmosphere is governed by the energy balance between the sunlight these caps absorb and the heat they radiate to space. The polar cap temperatures should be approximately equal and uniform over their surfaces. Because of the rapid precession of Triton's orbit about Neptune's pole, the insolation and, therefore, the temperature of the polar caps must vary in a complex fashion. The variations in the temperature of the polar caps will also cause seasonal variations in the mixing ratio of the volatile atmospheric gases owing to the different behaviors of their saturation vapor pressures with temperature. Triton's visible hemisphere is approaching a major southern summer with solstices. If the polar caps are not too thin a dramatic increase in the CH4 column abundance would occur.
Document ID
19850003640
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Trafton, L. M.
(McDonald Observatory Austin, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1984
Publication Information
Publication: JPL Uranus and Neptune
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
85N11948
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGL-44-012-152
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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