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Triton's Distorted AtmosphereA stellar-occultation light curve for Triton shows asymmetry that can be understood if Triton's middle atmosphere is distorted from spherical symmetry. Although a globally oblate model can explain the data, the inferred atmospheric flattening is so large that it could be caused only by an unrealistic internal mass distribution or highly supersonic zonal winds. Cyclostrophic winds confined to a jet near Triton's northern or southern limbs (or both) could also be responsible for the details of the light curve, but such winds are required to be slightly supersonic. Hazes and clouds in the atmosphere are unlikely to have caused the asymmetry in the light curve.
Document ID
19990019276
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Elliot, J. L.
(Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA United States)
Stansberry, J. A.
(Lowell Observatory Flagstaff, AZ United States)
Olkin, C. B.
(Lowell Observatory Flagstaff, AZ United States)
Agner, M. A.
(Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA United States)
Davies, M. E.
(RAND Corp. Santa Monica, CA United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
October 17, 1998
Publication Information
Publication: Science
Volume: 278
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-3940
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
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