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The tropospheric gas composition of Jupiter's north equatorial belt (NH3, PH3, CH3D, GeH4, H2O) and the Jovian D/H isotropic ratioThe gas composition of the troposphere of Jupiter in the clearest regions of the North Equatorial Belt (NEB) was derived from the Voyager 1 IRIS data. The infrared spectrum for this homogeneous cloud free region was modeled to infer altitude profiles for NH3, PH3, GeH4 and H2O. The Profiles for NH3 and PH3 were found to be depleted in the upper troposphere but otherwise in agreement with their solar values at the 1 bar level. The mole fraction for CH3D was determined to be 3.5(+1.0 or -1.3) x 10 to the minus 7th power. The GeH4 mole fraction of 7+ or -2 x 10 to the minus 10th power at the 2 to 3 bar level is a factor of 10 lower than the solar value. The H2O mole fraction is approximately 1 x 0.00001 at the 2.5 bar level and is increasing to approximately 3 x 0.00001 at 4 bars where it is a factor of 30 lower than solar. Using IRIS infrared values for the mole fractions of CH3D and CH4 a value of D/H = 3.6(+1.0 or -1.4)x 0.00001 is derived. Assuming this Jovian D/H ratio is representative of the protosolar nebula, and correcting for chemical galactic evolution, yields a value of 5.5 - 9.0 x 0.00001 for the primordial D/H ratio and an upper limit of 1.8 to 2.4 x 10 to the minus 31st power cu cm for the present day baryon density.
Document ID
19820012229
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Kunde, V.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Hanel, R.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Maguire, W.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Gautier, D.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Baluteau, J. P.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Marten, A.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Chedin, A.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Husson, N.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Scott, N.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
September 4, 2013
Publication Date
February 1, 1982
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Report/Patent Number
NASA-TM-83891
Report Number: NASA-TM-83891
Accession Number
82N20103
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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