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Metal Ions in the Atmosphere of Neptune

Lyons, James R. (1995) Metal Ions in the Atmosphere of Neptune. Science, 267 (5198). pp. 648-651. ISSN 0036-8075. doi:10.1126/science.7839139. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20141210-091532590

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Abstract

Microwave propagation experiments performed with Voyager 2 at Neptune revealed sharp layers of electrons in Neptune's lower ionosphere with densities of approximately 10(4) per cubic centimeter. These layers are reminiscent of the sporadic-E layers in the Earth's ionosphere, and when taken together with data from the other giant planets, these data confirm the importance of the magnetic field in layer formation. A photochemical model that incorporates species produced by meteoroid ablation predicts that singly ionized magnesium is the most likely metal to be found in the layers, although laboratory data on the kinetics of metallic atoms and ions in a reducing environment are lacking. The metal chemistry discussed here is directly relevant to the abundant metals observed at the impact site of the G fragment of comet Shoemaker Levy 9 on Jupiter.


Item Type:Article
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.7839139DOIArticle
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/267/5198/648PublisherArticle
http://www.jstor.org/stable/2885940JSTORArticle
Additional Information:© 1995 American Association for the Advancement of Science. Received 29 July 1994; accepted 1 November 1994. Discussions with G. Lindal, E. R. Kursinski, J. Connerney, Y. Yung, W. Goddard, T. Rebold, and S. Asmar are gratefully acknowledged. G. Lindal provided the electron number density profile. This work was supported by NASA grants NAGW-2362 and NAGW-1509. Contribution 5418 from the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology.
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
NASANAGW-2362
NASANAGW-1509
Other Numbering System:
Other Numbering System NameOther Numbering System ID
Caltech Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences5418
Issue or Number:5198
DOI:10.1126/science.7839139
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20141210-091532590
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20141210-091532590
Official Citation:Metal ions in the atmosphere of Neptune Lyons JR Science 3 February 1995: 267 (5198), 648-651. [DOI:10.1126/science.7839139]
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:52533
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Tony Diaz
Deposited On:10 Dec 2014 18:01
Last Modified:10 Nov 2021 19:42

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