DEEP ATMOSPHERES OF SATURN AND JUPITER OBSERVED FROM ORBITING SPACECRAFT

Abstract:

The deep atmospheres of the giant planets Jupiter and Saturn can only be observed remotely in the microwave region, at wavelengths significantly longer than the ammonia rotational band around 1-cm. Observation by spacecraft offers unique capabilities for exploring the presently unknown compositional and dynamical properties of these atmospheres at depth. Currently two investigations are in progress. The first uses the 2-cm wavelength Cassini RADAR radiometer now orbiting Saturn, and observes its subcloud atmosphere to pressure levels near 3 bars. Secondly, the Juno spacecraft, which was launched in August 2011 to Jupiter, carries a multi-wavelength instrument (the Microwave Radiometer, or MWR), which operates over the wavelength range from 1.4-50 cm and reaches depths below 100 bars. It will arrive at Jupiter in 2016. Global maps of Saturn and their interpretation will be presented along with plans for high-resolution observations during the final (proximal) orbits of the Cassini mission. The capabilities and expectations for the Juno MWR will be described. This work was carried out at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under a contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.