NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2009B-0216
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2009B-0216 |
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PI: Glenn Orton, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, go@scn.jpl.nasa.gov
Address: MS 169-237, 4800 Oak Grove, Drive Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
CoI: Leigh Fletcher, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
CoI: Therese Encrenaz, Observatoire de Paris, Meudon
CoI: Heidi Hammel, Space Science Institute
CoI: Thomas Geballe, Gemini Observatory - North
CoI: Amanda Mainzer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Title: First Thermal Maps of the Stratosphere of Uranus: Follow-up to Detection of Rotational Variability by the Spitzer IRS
Abstract:
We propose to make the first maps of the thermal structure of the
stratosphere of Uranus. Such maps will determine the extent of radiative
heating in an environment of extreme seasonal variability, with the 98-degree
inclination of the rotation axis of Uranus to the ecliptic. Regularly spaced
observations during a single rotation of Uranus will allow us to examine the
extent of longitudinal variability in its stratosphere. These observations
will follow up the detection of strong rotational variability in our Spitzer
IRS disk-averaged spectra in emission features of methane, ethane and
acetylene. This detection implies the presence of a thermal feature or
features of high amplitude which have never been imaged before. Because
Uranus is a faint thermal object, we propose to image it at 13.1 microns, the
brightest possible radiance, arising from stratospheric acetylene and ethane.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2009B-0216 |
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