Jupiter surface temperature
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Jupiter Surface Temperature: An Overview
Introduction to Jupiter's Surface Temperature
Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, exhibits a complex thermal structure influenced by various factors. Understanding its surface temperature is crucial for insights into its atmospheric dynamics, internal heat sources, and overall planetary behavior.
Temperature Profiles from Pioneer Missions
The Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11 missions provided significant data on Jupiter's temperature. The infrared radiometer data from Pioneer 10 revealed that temperatures near the 0.1 bar pressure level range between 108 K and 117 K, depending on the assumed thermal structure above this level . At the 1.0 bar pressure level, temperatures in the South Equatorial Belt (SEB) were found to be around 170 K, while the South Tropical Zone (STrZ) exhibited temperatures of approximately 155 K, assuming pure gaseous absorption . The effective temperatures of the SEB and STrZ were determined to be 127.6 K and 124.2 K, respectively .
Effective Temperature and Heat Balance
The effective temperature of Jupiter, as indicated by the Pioneer 10 and 11 infrared radiometers, is approximately 125 K . This temperature reflects the balance between the thermal emission of the planet and the solar energy it absorbs. The ratio of Jupiter's thermal emission to the solar energy absorbed is about 1.9, which aligns closely with earth-based estimates .
Discrepancy in Observed and Theorized Temperatures
There is a notable discrepancy between Jupiter's observed surface temperature, derived from infrared emissions, and the theorized temperature based on the assumption that Jupiter behaves as a black body. This discrepancy is attributed to additional heat sources such as gravitational collapse, heat emission from radioisotopes, and the differentiation of helium and hydrogen within the planet .
Reassessment of Voyager Data
The Voyager missions also contributed to our understanding of Jupiter's temperature structure. A reassessment of the Voyager radio occultation measurements, which covered a broader range of latitudes and longitudes, indicated that the temperature at the 1 bar level could be up to 4 K higher than previously published values. Specifically, temperatures were found to be 170.3 K at 12°S and 167.3 K at 0°N, compared to the Galileo probe's measurement of 166.1 K at 6.57°N . This suggests spatial variations in Jupiter's tropospheric temperatures by up to 7 K between 7°N and 12°S .
Conclusion
Jupiter's surface temperature is a result of complex interactions between its atmospheric dynamics, internal heat sources, and external solar radiation. Data from the Pioneer and Voyager missions have provided valuable insights, revealing temperature variations across different regions and pressure levels. Understanding these variations is essential for developing accurate models of Jupiter's atmospheric and internal structure.
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