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Ultraviolet spectrometer observations of UranusThe Voyager 2 UV spectrometer was used to scan the Uranus atmosphere at wavelengths from 500-1700 A with a field of view of 0.1 x 0.86 deg. The temperature and composition of the upper atmosphere were determined through occultations of light from gamma Pegasi, nu Geminorum and the sun. The data indicated a substantial gas density (100 million H atoms/cu cm) at about 28,000 km from the Uranus center, suggesting that gas drag plays a significant role in ring evolution. The distributions of CH4 and C2H2 in the lower atmosphere were also estimated. An electroglow emission was detected on the sunlit side, and attributed to emissions from atomic and molecular hydrogen excited by low energy electrons. An auroral glow was also observed, and exhibited evidence of an energy input equal to that of the electroglow. Finally, estimates of the C2H2 mixing ratio and the vertical column abundance of H2 are calculated.
Document ID
19860059518
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Broadfoot, A. L.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Herbert, F.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Holberg, J. B.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Hunten, D. M.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Kumar, S.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Sandel, B. R.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Shemansky, D. E.
(Arizona, University Tucson, United States)
Dessler, A. J.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Linick, S.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Springer, R.
(California Institute of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
July 4, 1986
Publication Information
Publication: Science
Volume: 233
ISSN: 0036-8075
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
86A44256
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-610
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-649
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-7404
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS7-100
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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