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Near‐ir spectroscopy of Jupiter at the time of comet Shoemaker‐Levy 9 Impacts: Emissions of CH 4 , H 3 + and H 2
Author(s) -
Encrenaz Th.,
Schulz R.,
Stüwe J. A.,
Wiedemann G.,
Drossart P.,
Crovisier J.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/95gl00810
Subject(s) - jovian , haze , comet , jupiter (rocket family) , physics , atmospheric sciences , methane , atmosphere of jupiter , environmental science , astrobiology , planet , astronomy , meteorology , chemistry , organic chemistry , space shuttle , saturn
Near‐infrared emissions of the SL9 impact sites of Jupiter have been recorded on July 16–18, 1994, at ESO (La Silla, Chile). A very strong emission of methane was recorded between 3.50 and 3.56 µ m, shortly after impact H, showing evidence for a temporary increase of the Jovian stratospheric temperature. Emissions of H 2 (2.12 µ m) and H 3 + (3.53 µ m) were also detected above some of the impact sites, several hours after the impacts. The observed H 3 + emissions, however, seem to be at least partly contaminated by the southern aurora. A strong continuum was also detected at 2.12 µ m over most of the impact sites, presumably due to intense scattering of reflected sunlight by stratospheric haze.