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Interiors of the giant planetsThis theoretical/observational project constrains interior structure of Jovian planets through observational data. Researchers continue to concentrate on Neptune in support of the 1989 Voyager encounter. Occultations of stars by Neptune are observed from the Tucson area and from Chile to obtain information about Neptune's atmosphere and to continue to search for Neptune arcs. Occultations by other solar system objects are also observed as part of collaborative efforts from time to time. New results on the structure of scintillations in the central flash occultation by Neptune on 20 August 1985 were derived. Analysis shows that scintillations are present throughout the lightcurve, both near the half-intensity points (at a pressure of 1 microbar) and near the central flash (at 0.4 mbar). Near the planetary limb, the scintillations are extended parallel to the limb; near the shadow center, they are extended parallel to the limb; near the shadow center, they are extended in a radial direction. Researchers collaborated with Ramesh Narayan to derive a theory relating the scintillations to density fluctuations in Neptune's atmosphere. The theory will ultimately enable researchers to test whether the scintillations are caused by internal gravity waves in Neptune's upper atmosphere.
Document ID
19890007283
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Other
Authors
Hubbard, W. B. (Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Date Acquired
September 5, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1988
Publication Information
Publication: NASA, Washington, Reports of Planetary Astronomy,
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
89N16654
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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