The Thermal Structure of the Javian Atmosphere

Abstract

Thermal structure calculations have been carded out for the atmosphere of Jupiter above the level of the dense clouds, for boundary conditions suggested by recent observations. The resulting models are characterized by an extensive region of dynamical control above the cloud level, and a thermal inversion in the mesosphere, produced by absorption of solar IR energy in the 3020 cm⁻¹ band of methane. The infrared and microwave spectra corresponding to the computed thermal models are found to be in generally good agreement with observed infrared and microwave brightness temperature of Jupiter. The effective temperatures of all of the thermal models are higher than the solar equilibrium value, and, thus, an internal heat source on Jupiter is suggested.