NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011B-0072
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011B-0072 |
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PI: Leigh Fletcher, University of Oxford, fletcher@atm.ox.ac.uk
Address: Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics,, Clarendon Laboratory,, Parks Road,, Oxford,, OX1 3PU, United Kingdom
CoI: Glenn Orton, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
CoI: Michelle Edwards, Gemini Observatory - South
CoI: Patrick Irwin, University of Oxford
CoI: Agustin Sanchez-Lavega, Universidad del Pais Vasco
CoI: Nicholas Teanby, University of Bristol
Title: Jupiter's Global Dynamics a Decade after Cassini: Spectroscopic Mapping
Abstract:
Visible observers have monitored a number of spectacular meteorological
transformations in Jupiter's dynamic atmosphere in the decade (one jovian
year) since Cassini acquired near-global thermal-IR spectroscopy. Some of
those changes (Jupiter's reappearing South Equatorial Belt (SEB);
interactions between the Great Red Spot (GRS) and other vortices) were
spectrally mapped in the N-band by Gemini/TRECS during 2010B. However, the
absence of near-simultaneous Q-band spectroscopy to determine Jupiter's
temperature structure hampers the analysis of compositional variations in the
N-band, and prevents an identification of the vertical motions and changes to
atmospheric stability associated with these transitions. We propose
classical-mode observations to obtain Q- and N-band spectral maps from pole
to pole over three nights. Temperatures, cloud cover and the distributions of
dynamical tracers (PH3, NH3 and C2H6) will be derived to study (a)
large-scale climatic variations in temperatures, winds and atmospheric
stability in the time since Cassini; (b) modifications to equatorial
upwelling; (c) strengthening or dissipation of Jupiter's GRS; (d) asymmetries
in chemistry and aerosols between the two poles; and (e) the long-term
effects of the SEB revival that started in 2010B. We intend to obtain the
first north-south map of Jupiter's temperatures and composition since Cassini
in 2000.
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 > 2011B-0072 |
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