Open AccessSaturn's emitted power
Author(s) -
Li Liming,
Conrath Barney J.,
Gierasch Peter J.,
Achterberg Richard K.,
Nixon Conor A.,
SimonMiller Amy A.,
Flasar F. Michael,
Banfield Don,
Baines Kevin H.,
West Robert A.,
Ingersoll Andrew P.,
Vasavada Ashwin R.,
Del Genio Anthony D.,
Porco Carolyn C.,
Mamoutkine Andrei A.,
Segura Marcia E.,
Bjoraker Gordon L.,
Orton Glenn S.,
Fletcher Leigh N.,
Irwin Patrick G. J.,
Read Peter L.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: planets
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2010je003631
Subject(s) - saturn , southern hemisphere , northern hemisphere , physics , environmental science , opacity , atmospheric sciences , astronomy , planet , optics
Long‐term (2004–2009) on‐orbit observations by Cassini Composite Infrared Spectrometer are analyzed to precisely measure Saturn's emitted power and its meridional distribution. Our evaluations suggest that the average global emitted power is 4.952 ± 0.035 W m −2 during the period of 2004–2009. The corresponding effective temperature is 96.67 ± 0.17 K. The emitted power is 16.6% higher in the Southern Hemisphere than in the Northern Hemisphere. From 2005 to 2009, the global mean emitted power and effective temperature decreased by ∼2% and ∼0.5%, respectively. Our study further reveals the interannual variability of emitted power and effective temperature between the epoch of Voyager (∼1 Saturn year ago) and the current epoch of Cassini, suggesting changes in the cloud opacity from year to year on Saturn. The seasonal and interannual variability of emitted power implies that the energy balance and internal heat are also varying.