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Eddy diffusion at Saturn's homopause
Author(s) -
Sandel B. R.,
McConnell J. C.,
Strobel D. F.
Publication year - 1982
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/gl009i009p01077
Subject(s) - saturn , physics , occultation , diffusion , eddy diffusion , atmosphere (unit) , astronomy , atmospheric models , astrophysics , atmospheric sciences , meteorology , planet , turbulence , thermodynamics
Measurements of Saturn's He 584 A dayglow and the CH 4 density profile deduced from stellar occultation data near the homopause have been combined to infer an eddy diffusion coefficient of 8±4 × 10 7 cm²s −1 and a temperature of K near the homopause at Voyager 2 encounter. It appears the eddy diffusion coefficient may have increased between the Voyager encounters. Saturn's H Lyα dayglow is qualitatively compatible with this increase and the interpretation of the He 584 A dayglow and CH 4 absorption measurement.