Lyman-Alpha Aurora

Abstract

The existence of intense and variable H Ly a emission from Uranus is demonstrated utilizing the monochromatic imaging capabilities of the International Ultraviolet Explorer satellite. A series of 14 observations, using the IUE short wavelength spectrograph in low dispersion and covering the period from 3 March 1982 through 2 September 1983, shows the disk averaged Ly a brightness of Uranus to vary between 690 and 2230 Rayleighs. Model calculations indicates that 400 R of this emission can be attributed to resonant scattering of solar Ly a radiation. An upper limit of 100 R is obtained for the Raman scattering of solar Ly a by H2 (1280 A). This implies that 300 R is contributed to the planetary Ly a emission by Rayleigh scattering. In addition to being unexpectedly strong, the Uranian Ly a emission has been observed to vary by a factor of two in one 24 hr period and by about 50% in one 5 hr period.