Modelling the near-infrared spectra of Jupiter using line-by-line methods

Lucyna Kedziora-Chudczer*, Jeremy Bailey

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    14 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    We have obtained long-slit, infrared spectra of Jupiter with the Anglo-Australian Telescope in the K and H bands at a resolving power of 2260. Using a line-by-line, radiative transfer model with the latest, improved spectral-line data for methane and ammonia, we derive a model of the zonal characteristics in the atmosphere of this giant planet. We fit our model to the spectra of the zones and belts visible at 2.1 μm using different distributions of cloud opacities. The modelled spectra for each region match observations remarkably well at the K band and in low-pressure regions at the H band. Our results for the upper deck cloud distribution are consistent with previous models fitted to low-resolution, grism spectra. The ability to obtain and model high-resolution planetary spectra, in order to search for weakly absorbing atmospheric constituents, can provide better constraints on the chemical composition of planetary atmospheres.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1483-1492
    Number of pages10
    JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
    Volume414
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jun 2011

    Keywords

    • Atmospheric effects
    • Infrared: general
    • Planets and satellites: atmospheres
    • Radiative transfer
    • Techniques: spectroscopic

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