Temperature of Jupiter's atmosphere
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Temperature Structure of Jupiter's Atmosphere
Tropospheric Temperatures of Jupiter
Jupiter's troposphere, the lowest layer of its atmosphere, has temperatures that vary with location and depth. At the 1 bar pressure level, which is often used as a reference, temperatures range from about 166 K to 170 K depending on latitude, with spatial variations of up to 7 K between different regions near the equator and southern latitudes 3. The Galileo probe measured a temperature of 166.1 ± 0.8 K at 6.6°N, but this was in a particularly clear and dry region, while Voyager data suggest slightly higher values elsewhere 3. At the cloud tops, temperatures are around 153 K 4.
Upper Troposphere and Stratosphere: Long-Term Variability
In the upper troposphere (around 300 mbar), temperatures have shown unexpected long-term variability, with periodic changes over 4 to 14 years that are not directly linked to seasonal solar heating. These variations can be anti-correlated between hemispheres and between different atmospheric layers, suggesting complex interactions between the stratosphere and troposphere 8.
Temperature Profile in the Upper Atmosphere and Thermosphere
As altitude increases, Jupiter's atmospheric temperature rises significantly. Data from the Galileo probe show temperatures increasing from 109 K at 175 mbar to about 900 ± 40 K at 1 nanobar in the upper atmosphere 2. This steep temperature gradient is consistent with earlier Voyager observations and is thought to be influenced by the dissipation of wave energy, which heats the upper layers 2.
Recent high-resolution mapping of Jupiter's upper atmosphere using H3+ emissions reveals that equatorial thermospheric temperatures are around 762 ± 43 K, with auroral regions (near the poles) reaching much higher values: 1200 ± 96 K in the north and 1143 ± 120 K in the south 1. Temperatures generally decrease smoothly from the auroral regions toward the equator, indicating that energy from the auroras is redistributed by atmospheric dynamics 1.
Hotspots and Localized Heating
A notable hotspot exists above Jupiter's Great Red Spot, where the upper atmosphere is hundreds of degrees warmer than surrounding areas. This localized heating is likely caused by upwardly propagating acoustic or gravity waves from the lower atmosphere, providing strong evidence for coupling between Jupiter's lower and upper atmospheric layers 7.
The "Energy Crisis" and Heating Mechanisms
Jupiter's upper atmosphere is observed to be about 700 K hotter than what would be expected from solar heating alone, a phenomenon known as the "energy crisis" 5. Models suggest that interactions between Jupiter's magnetosphere and its atmosphere, as well as the redistribution of auroral energy by strong winds, contribute to this excess heat. However, even advanced models still underestimate equatorial temperatures compared to observations, indicating that additional heating mechanisms, such as wave heating from below, are likely important 57.
Theoretical Models and Radiative Equilibrium
Theoretical calculations assuming radiative equilibrium above the clouds yield temperature profiles that match observed cloud-top temperatures and suggest that Jupiter emits much more energy than it receives from the Sun, supporting the idea of significant internal or non-solar heating sources 4.
Conclusion
Jupiter's atmospheric temperatures vary greatly with altitude and location. The troposphere is cold, with temperatures near 166–170 K at 1 bar, while the upper atmosphere and thermosphere are much hotter, reaching 900 K or more, especially near the poles and above the Great Red Spot. These high temperatures cannot be explained by solar heating alone and are likely due to a combination of auroral energy redistribution, wave heating from below, and interactions with Jupiter's magnetosphere. Long-term and spatial variability further highlight the complexity of Jupiter's atmospheric dynamics 1234578.
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