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Four micron infrared observations of the comet Shoemaker‐Levy 9 collision with Jupiter at the Zelenchuk Observatory: Spectral evidence for a stratospheric haze and determination of its physical properties
Author(s) -
Rosenqvist J.,
Biraud Y. G.,
Cuisenier M.,
Marten A.,
Hidayat T.,
Chountonov G.,
Moreau D.,
Muller C.,
Maslov I.,
Ackerman M.,
Balega Y.,
Korablev O.
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 - 10.1029/95gl00950
Subject(s) - haze , comet , radiance , albedo (alchemy) , observatory , physics , spectral line , spectral resolution , stratosphere , infrared telescope , jupiter (rocket family) , geometric albedo , infrared , atmospheric sciences , environmental science , astrophysics , astronomy , meteorology , stars , photometry (optics) , optics , art , space shuttle , performance art , art history
We present preliminary results derived from low spectral resolution infrared spectra of the comet impact sites onto Jupiter. Fragments W/K were tracked several days after the collision at the SAO 6m‐telescope on July 22 and 27. A systematic increase of the spectral radiance is observed for fragment W/K spectra as compared to undisturbed region spectra. This change is interpreted as the evidence for a stratospheric haze produced by the collision. From the spectral shape of this relative increase, the albedo of the haze can reach values as low as 0.06 but is constrained between 0.13 and 0.15 if the spot size is 3′. No stringent constraint is obtained for the altitude of this haze even if a 5–50 mbar level seems to be possibly the best estimate. The particles in the haze should play a significant role in the thermal balance over impact sites. The fragments W/K spectra between July 22 and July 27 show a high stability of the haze between both dates.