BibTex format
@article{Moore:2019:10.1098/rsta.2019.0067,
author = {Moore, L and Melin, H and O'Donoghue, J and Stallard, TS and Moses, J and Galand, M and Miller, S and Schmidt, CA},
doi = {10.1098/rsta.2019.0067},
journal = {Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A. Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences},
pages = {1--19},
title = {Modelling H-3(+) in planetary atmospheres: effects of vertical gradients on observed quantities},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2019.0067},
volume = {377},
year = {2019}
}
RIS format (EndNote, RefMan)
TY - JOUR
AB - Since its detection in the aurorae of Jupiter approximately 30 years ago, the H3+ ion has served as an invaluable probe of giant planet upper atmospheres. However, the vast majority of monitoring of planetary H3+ radiation has followed from observations that rely on deriving parameters from column-integrated paths through the emitting layer. Here, we investigate the effects of density and temperature gradients along such paths on the measured H3+ spectrum and its resulting interpretation. In a non-isothermal atmosphere, H3+ column densities retrieved from such observations are found to represent a lower limit, reduced by 20% or more from the true atmospheric value. Global simulations of Uranus' ionosphere reveal that measured H3+ temperature variations are often attributable to well-understood solar zenith angle effects rather than indications of real atmospheric variability. Finally, based on these insights, a preliminary method of deriving vertical temperature structure is demonstrated at Jupiter using model reproductions of electron density and H3+ measurements. The sheer diversity and uncertainty of conditions in planetary atmospheres prohibits this work from providing blanket quantitative correction factors; nonetheless, we illustrate a few simple ways in which the already formidable utility of H3+ observations in understanding planetary atmospheres can be enhanced.This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Advances in hydrogen molecular ions: H3+, H5+ and beyond’.
AU - Moore,L
AU - Melin,H
AU - O'Donoghue,J
AU - Stallard,TS
AU - Moses,J
AU - Galand,M
AU - Miller,S
AU - Schmidt,CA
DO - 10.1098/rsta.2019.0067
EP - 19
PY - 2019///
SN - 1364-503X
SP - 1
TI - Modelling H-3(+) in planetary atmospheres: effects of vertical gradients on observed quantities
T2 - Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A. Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2019.0067
UR - http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000478789500018&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
UR - https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsta.2019.0067
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/72792
VL - 377
ER -