ppt课件-lifeonmercuryandvenus-astronomy.pptVIP

Space Craft Exploration of Jovian Planets Galileo - launched in 1989 and reached Jupiter in December 1995 Gravity assists from Venus and Earth Two components: atmospheric probe and orbiter Probe descended into Jupiter’s atmosphere Orbiter went through moon system Cassini mission to Saturn, launched in 1997 Gravity assists from Venus (twice), Earth and Jupiter Studying Saturn’s moon Titan in much the same way as Galileo studied Jupiter Jovian Planet Properties Most of their mass is Hydrogen and Helium – light elements = low densities High surface gravity allows their atmospheres to retain these light elements Dense compact core at the center But, NO SOLID SURFACE – gaseous atmosphere becomes denser (eventually liquid) at core Differential Rotation – outer regions rotate slower than inner regions Jovian planets - axis tilt and magnetic fields Uranus has the most inclined rotational axis - extreme seasons! All appear to have strong magnetic fields - rapid rotation and liquid conductive cores or mantles Jupiter’s Atmosphere Two main features: colored bands and Great Red Spot molecular hydrogen – 86% helium – 14% small amounts of methane, ammonia, and water vapor Darker colored belts lie atop downward moving convective cells Lighter zones are above upward moving cells Belts are low-pressure, Zones are high pressure As on Earth, wind moves from high to low But rotation causes wind patterns to move East/West along equator Temperature difference between bands is main reason for color difference Jupiter’s Atmosphere Haze lies at the upper edge of the troposphere Thin layer of white ammonia clouds – 125 – 150 K Colored clouds below that Warmer - 200 K clouds are mostly droplets or crystals of ammonium hydrosulfide At deeper levels, clouds of water ice or water vapor The Galileo probe survived for about an hour before being crushed at this altitude. Weather on Jupiter Main weather feature – Great Red Spot! swirling hurricane winds has lasted over 300