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The origin of carbon monoxide in Neptunes's atmosphereThe CO abundance in the observable atmosphere of Neptune can be plausibly explained by rapid vertical mixing from the deeper atmosphere if Neptune has a greater complement of water than Uranus. Thermochemical equilibrium and kinetic calculations reveal that Neptune must and Uranus may have about 10 times more oxygen than carbon, whereas for Jupiter and Saturn equal enrichments of carbon and oxygen are satifactory to explain the observed CO abundances by deep vertical mixing. Relative to hydrogen and solar composition, the respective enrichment factors for carbon and oxygen are 41, 440 (Neptune); 32, less than or equal 260 (Uranus); 6.6, 6.6 (Saturn); and 2.8, 2.8 (Jupiter). Because water ice is the most refractory ice among the ices assumed to be present in the outer solar nebula, the most massive H2O enrichment is expected for the outermost planet of this group. Thus, Neptune can indeed be regarded as the 'god of the seas.'
Document ID
19950053520
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Lodders, K.
(Washington Univ. St. Louis, MO, United States)
Fegley, B., Jr.
(Washington Univ. St. Louis, MO, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: Icarus
Volume: 112
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0019-1035
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
95A85119
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-2861
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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