01-036

Planetary Atmospheres

Cover Page/Proposal Summary

ROSS-00    NRA 00-OSS-01

Date Due: 4/28/2000

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Proposal Type: New Proposal

Proposal Category: Atmosphere Structures and Particles

Major Equipment Proposal? No

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

Proposal Title:
Research in Planetary Atmospheres-Jupiter and Titan(Continuation of Grant NAG5-4589)

Abbreviated Proposal Title:
Jupiter and Titan Atmospheric Composition & Str.

Principal Investigator:
Dr. Sushil K. Atreya
Dept. Atmos. Ocean. & Space Sciences
University of Michigan
Space Research Bldg.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2143
Phone: 734-763-6234   Fax: 734-764-5137   E-mail: atreya@umich.edu

SignatureDate
_________________________________________________

Co-Investigators and Collaborators:
Type    Name    Affiliation    E-mail
Sci Collab   Dr. Therese Encrenaz   Obs. Paris-Meudon   therese.encrenaz@obspm.fr
Sci Collab   Dr. Paul R. Mahaffy   GSFC   paul.r.mahaffy@gsfc.nasa.gov
Sci Collab   Dr. Hasso B. Niemann   GSFC   hasso.b.niemann@gsfc.nasa.gov
Sci Collab   Dr. Tobias C. Owen   Univ. Hawaii   owen@ifa.hawaii.edu



Proposal Summary:

Continuation of grant NAG5-4589 is proposed. Under the current grant, observations from Galileo, HST and ISO were analyzed and interpreted. We determined that the condensible volatiles (H2O, H2S, NH3) were unexpectedly depleted to depths well below their equilibrium condensa- tion levels in Jupiter’s deep troposphere. We have suggested that this behavior, as well as the lack of substantial clouds, is a direct consequence of local meteorology in the 5 micron hotspot, the entry site of the Galileo probe. From the supersolar ratios (to H) of the heavy elements (C,N,S,Ar,Kr,Xe) we measured, it was concluded that the planetesimals that formed the core of Jupiter must have been very cold (<30 K). The protosolar D/H value was fixed from an in situ Jovian D/H measurement. We found the global values of eddy mixing in the atmospheres of Uranus and Saturn to be comparable to the equatorial values measured by Voyager. Eddy mixing coefficient in the upper tropospheres and lower stratospheres of Jupiter and Saturn were also derived. We propose to continue the analysis of the Galileo probe mass spectrometer (GPMS) data, and make further progress on a model of the chemical evolution of Titan’s atmosphere. Our goal is to characterize the composition and structure of these bodies as fully as possible. In particular, we will determine the distributions of C2 - and the heavier hydrocarbons in the 1-20 bar range, the molecular nitrogen abundance, and the nitrogen isotopic ratio in Jupiter’s atmosphere, by analyzing the GPMS data. We will also refine our analysis of the Jovian water vapor data. We will develop the model of chemistry of Titan’s atmosphere further. All observational results will be interpreted with coupled condensation-chemistry models to be developed or updated simultaneously. Supporting data will be obtained from other missions, in particular ISO.

Certification of Compliance with Applicable Executive Orders and U.S. Code


By submitting the proposal identified in this Cover Sheet/Proposal Summary in response to this NRA or AO, the Authorizing Official of the proposing institution (or the individual proposer if there is no proposing institution) as identified below:

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