01-085

Planetary Atmospheres

Cover Page/Proposal Summary

ROSS-00    NRA 00-OSS-01

Date Due: 4/28/2000

NASA PROCEDURE FOR HANDLING PROPOSALS

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Proposal Type: New Proposal

Proposal Category: Aeronomy

Major Equipment Proposal? No

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

Proposal Title:
Saturn's Upper Atmospheric Structure as Derived From a Reanalysis of the Voyager Ultraviolet Spectrometer Occultations

Abbreviated Proposal Title:
Reanalysis of the Voyager UVS Saturn Occultations

Principal Investigator:
Dr. Ronald J. Vervack Jr.
The Johns Hopkins University
Applied Physics Laboratory
11100 Johns Hopkins Road
Laurel, MD 20723-6099
Phone: 240-228-8221   Fax: 240-228-6670   E-mail: Ron.Vervack@jhuapl.edu

SignatureDate
_________________________________________________

Co-Investigators and Collaborators:
Type    Name    Affiliation    E-mail
Sci Co-I   Dr. Jeng-Hwa Yee   JHU/APL   jeng-hwa.yee@jhuapl.edu
Sci Collab   Dr. Darrell F. Strobel   JHU   strobel@jhu.edu


Proposal Summary:

We propose to reanalyze the Saturn Voyager 1 and 2 Ultraviolet Spectrometer (UVS) occultations. These occultation data are the only direct source of information we have on the neutral upper atmosphere of Saturn. Previous analyses of the occultations have yielded number densities for the major atmospheric species as well as the exospheric temperature. These have been integral to photochemical, thermal, and ionospheric models and have been critical in interpreting numerous other observations (e.g., airglow spectra, torus supply rates). However, discrepancies between other observations and the Voyager UVS results have been noted for Saturn, prompting the need for a reanalysis of these data. In the years since the original analyses of the UVS data, analysis techniques, computing technology, and laboratory data have vastly improved. Our proposed research will utilize these advances to provide significantly improved number density profiles for several species. We will also improve the estimates of the exospheric temperatures and extend the temperature profiles to lower altitudes. These new results will be complementary to those provided by ISO, HST, and ground-based observations, allowing the construction of self-consistent atmospheric models for Saturn. Such models are not only of interest for their intrinsic scientific value but also for their importance to the Cassini Mission.



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:

  • certifies that the statements made in this proposal are true and complete to the best of his/her knowledge;
  • agrees to accept the obligations to comply with NASA award terms and conditions if an award is made as a result of this proposal; and
  • confirms compliance with all provisions, rules, and stipulations set forth in the three Certifications contained in this NRA [namely, (i) Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters Primary Cover Transactions, (ii) Certification Regarding Lobbying, and (iii) Certification of Compliance with the NASA Regulations Pursuant to Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs].
    Willful provision of false information in this proposal and/or its supporting documents, or in reports required under an ensuing award, is a criminal offense (U.S. Code, Title 18, Section 1001).