00-003

Jovian System Data Analysis Program

Cover Page/Proposal Summary

ROSS-99    NRA 99-OSS-01

Date Due: 5/5/99

NASA PROCEDURE FOR HANDLING PROPOSALS

This proposal shall be used and disclosed for evaluation purposes only, and a copy of this Government notice shall be applied to any reproduction or abstract thereof. Any authorized restrictive notices that the submitter places on this proposal shall also be strictly complied with. Disclosure of this proposal for any reason outside the Government evaluation purposes shall be made only to the extent authorized by the Government.

Proposal Type: New Proposal

Proposal Category: Jupiter Atmospheres

Major Equipment Proposal? No

Do you intend to submit an Education/Public Outreach (E/PO) proposal? No

Proposal Title:
The Structure and Dynamics of Hotspots in Jupiter's North Equatorial Belt: Further Analysis of the Galileo Probe Atmosphere Structure Data

Abbreviated Proposal Title:
Analyze Galileo Probe data for hotspot dynamics

Principal Investigator:
Mr. Alvin nmn Seiff
Space Science MS/245-1
San Jose State University Foundation
M.S. 245-1
Ames Research Center
Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000
Phone: 650-604-5685   Fax: 650-604-6779   E-mail: aseiff@mail.arc.nasa.gov

SignatureDate
_________________________________________________

Co-Investigators and Collaborators:
NONE


Proposal Summary:

5-micr on hotspots are characteristic of the North Equatorial Belt in Jupiter's atmosphere; there are about 10 present at any given time. The nature of the hotspots and the dynamics which produce them is poorly understood. The Galileo Probe entered in one of these hotspots and data from the Atmosphere Structure Instrument (ASI) and other probe instruments provided an unparalleled opportunity to study it to a depth ~150 km below the cloud tops. First order analysis performed and published indicates a slightly stable deep atmosphere, with the indicated stability increasing below the 15-bar level; and a highly-sheared velocity profile, which rules out proposed simple downflow models, but significant questions and extensions to the interpretation of the data remain. The data taken in descent to the 22 bar level are capable in principle of defining additional parameters of high dynamical importance. Vertical flow velocities have been extracted, but not published, and are to be refined by this proposed work. We also propose to critically evaluate the definition of all dynamical properties within the limitations imposed by resolution and accuracy, to quantify the uncertainties, and to identify supportable implications of the data. The overriding goal will be to improve understanding of the dynamics of 5-micron hotspots; in particular, to test existing theoretical models and provide guidance for future theory.