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NASA NTRS1980

Hydrocarbon photochemistry and Lyman alpha albedo of Jupiter

A combined study of hydrocarbon and atomic hydrogen photochemistry is made to calculate self-consistently the L alpha albedo of Jupiter. It is shown that the L alpha emissions observed by Voyagers I and II can be explained by resonance scattering of sunlight. Precipitation of energetic particles from the magnetosphere can provide the large required source of atomic hydrogen, although the contribution of direct particle excitation to the disk-averaged brightness is insignificant. The variability of the L alpha brightness inferred from many observations in recent years is examined. The large difference in the brightness of the He 584 A resonance line observed by Pioneer and Voyager is briefly discussed. Driving the photochemistry by solar ultraviolet radiation alone yields a maximum mixing ratio of C2H6 + C2H2 at 0.01 atm of about 4 x 10 to the -6th. The possibility of additional CH4 dissociation from precipitation of magnetospheric particles is discussed. The photochemistry of C2H2 and C2H3 is sufficiently uncertain not to permit accurate calculations of their densities and the ratio C2H6/C2H2.

Yung, Y. L.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Interior structure of Saturn inferred from Pioneer 11 gravity data

The structure of Saturn is studied via a fourth-order theory for rotating planets and equations of state for the envelope which depend parametrically on the helium abundance, on the starting temperature for the adiabat, and on adopted forms of the pressure-density curve in the region of transition from molecular to metallic hydrogen. Models are constrained by the values of J2 and J4 obtained from the Pioneer-Saturn celestial mechanics experiment. Equations of state are tested by computing Jupiter models, which can now be subjected to a more stringent comparison with observed zonal harmonics. It is found that Saturn has a low-density hydrogen-helium envelope with no evidence for enhancement of H2O, CH4, or other abundant compounds. Such compounds are presumably located near the core. The helium mass abundance for Saturn's envelope appears to be in the range of approximately 0.12 to 0.19, but this result is very model-dependent. The helium abundance in the envelope of Jupiter is apparently very similar to that of Saturn.

Hubbard, W. B.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Transport properties associated with entry into the atmosphere of Titan

In this paper the transport properties in the atmosphere of Titan and at the shock front and the probe surface for non-ablative entry into Titan's atmosphere are calculated, using the kinetic theory of gases. The species N2, H2, CH4, HCN, N, and H contribute to the transport properties under these conditions. The transport properties were calculated by using accurate potential energy curves for each of the thirteen two-body interactions which occur between these species. Results are given for the binary diffusion coefficients, the non-reactive and reactive thermal conductivity, and the viscosity from 1000 K to 8000 K. This information is needed for calculating flowfield properties and surface heating rates. The most important conclusions are that the non-reactive thermal conductivity is much larger behind the shock layer than it is in the ambient atmosphere and that the nonreactive thermal conductivity appears to be nearly constant in the shock layer.

Flori, B.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Laboratory studies of some of the major ion-molecule reactions occurring in cometary comae

Laboratory results have been obtained for some of the key ion-molecule reactions which should occur in the inner coma of comets. A complete listing is given of laboratory data presently available for ion-molecule reactions occurring in a mixture of H2O, CO2, CO, CH4, N2, and NH3 cometary volatiles. From these data, the most important reactions occurring in the coma of a water-dominated comet are extracted for use in models of the physics and chemistry of cometary comae.

Huntress, W. T., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Spectrophotometry of Pluto from 3500 to 7350 A

Spectra of Pluto have been obtained on six nights during February 1979 by the use of the Cassegrain Digicon spectrograph on the 2.1-m Struve reflector and the IDS spectrograph on the 2.7-m reflector of McDonald Observatory. These spectra, with nominal resolution of 6-7 A, have been reduced to relative fluxes. Relative albedos were then calculated using the solar irradiances of Arvesen et al. (1969). The spectra taken in the blue show no indication of the upturn in albedo at wavelengths less than 3800 A previously reported by Fix, et al. (1970). The lack of a UV upturn cannot be interpreted in terms of a Rayleigh scattering atmosphere unless the albedo of the underlying surface is known. From the lack of methane absorption at the wavelength of the 6190- or 7270-A methane bands, an upper limit of 1-3 m-am of gaseous CH4 is derived. The albedo curve has a constant slope between 3500 and 7300 A. The only other solar system body which has this feature is an S-type asteroid.

Barker, E. S.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Pioneer Venus gas chromatography of the lower atmosphere of Venus

A gas chromatograph mounted in the Pioneer Venus sounder probe measured the chemical composition of the atmosphere of Venus at three altitudes. Ne, N2, O2, Ar, CO, H2O, SO2, and CO2 were measured, and upper limits set for H2, COS, H2S, CH4, Kr, N2O, C2H4, C2H6, and C3H8. Simulation studies have provided indirect evidence for sulfuric acid-like droplets and support the possibility of water vapor at altitudes of 42 and 24 km. The paper discusses the implications of these results for the origin, evolution, and present state of Venus' atmosphere.

Oyama, V. I.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Infrared observations of the Saturnian system from Voyager 1

Atmospheric chemistry analyses of Saturn based on Voyager 1 infrared spectral and radiometric data are presented, including characteristics of the planet's rings and of Titan and other satellites. Infrared spectra of Saturn indicate the presence of H2, CH4, NH3, PH3, C2H2, and C2H6, with the possibility of C3H4 and C3H8. The atmospheric thermal structure of the planet shows hemispheric asymmetries that are consistent with seasonally varying insolation response, with an extensive small-scale latitudinal structure. Atmospheric chemistries of Titan, and optical and thermal characteristics for the rings of Saturn, are also given.

Hanel, R.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Semiempirical hot atom theory. I - Initialization and application

A semiempirical approach to the modeling of the kinetics of reaction systems containing both hot and nonhot atoms is proposed. The approach is based on the probabilistic kinetic theory of hot-atom reactions formulated by Wolfgang (1963), with transmission probabilities estimated for a rectangular potential barrier for hot-atom and nonhot-atom reactions. A computational scheme for determining product concentrations following hot and nonhot reactions in a system containing photolytically produced hot atoms is then applied to the DBr + CH4 and HBr + CD4 hot hydrogen atom systems studied by Martin and Willard (1964), and good agreement is obtained between theoretical and experimental results.

Aronowitz, S.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Titan on the eve of Voyager encounter

A decade of scientific study of Titan is reviewed with emphasis on the composition and the extent of its atmosphere. Several viable models are briefly discussed including the inversion model of Danielsen et al. (1973), Hunten's model (1978) which includes an extensive troposphere and a warm surface, with nitrogen as the major component, and models with neon, primordial carbon monoxide, or various mixtures of hydrogen, helium, and CH4. Recent observations by Pioneer 11 and other satellites are examined.

Caldwell, J.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Theoretical predictions of deuterium abundances in the Jovian planets

Current concepts for the origin of the Jovian planets and current constraints on their interior structure are used to support the argument that the presence of large amounts of 'ice' (H2O, CH4, and NH3) in Uranus and Neptune indicates temperature low enough to condense these species at the time Uranus and Neptune formed. Such low temperatures, however, imply orders-of-magnitude fractionation effects for deuterium into the 'ice' component if isotopic equilibration can occur. The present models thus imply that Uranus and Neptune should have D/H ratio at least four times primordial, contrary to observation for Uranus. It is found that the Jovian and Saturnian D/H should be close to primordial regardless of formation scenario.

Hubbard, W. B.↗

NASA NTRS1981

The two-dimensional diagnostic model for tropospheric OH - An uncertainty analysis

Tropospheric OH is believed to play a major role in atmospheric photochemistry, and, via its chemical interactions OH ultimately may affect the climate, stratospheric ozone levels, and the pH of rain. A valuable tool for predicting the global OH abundance as a function of latitude and altitude is the two-dimensional diagnostic model for tropospheric OH. This model can also be applied to budget studies of species which interact with OH, such as CH4, CO, and O3. In addition to laboratory-obtained kinetic data, important variables include the rate constants for several reactions, the rate of heterogeneous removal of soluble species, and the global abundance and spatial variability in H2O, O3, CO, and NOx. The uncertainties in these parameters imply over a factor of 3 variability in the calculated global OH concentration as well as significant uncertainties in the latitudinal and vertical OH distribution.

Chameides, W. L.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Atmospheric trace gases - Possibility of sources in the Southern Hemisphere

When measurements of globally distributed trace gases establish their existence in the Southern Hemisphere, it is not always clear whether their presence is due to transport from the Northern Hemisphere or partly from significant sources in the Southern Hemisphere. In this paper a simple criterion is developed whereby one can determine if significant Southern Hemisphere sources exist for a given trace gas. Despite the limitations of the model, there are strong indications that C2 hydrocarbons (C2H2, C2H4, C2H6), CO and CH4 have significant Southern Hemisphere sources.

Khalil, M. A. K.↗

NASA NTRS1981

LOX/Hydrocarbon auxiliary propulsion for the Space Shuttle Orbiter

The initial efforts are reported of a study evaluating liquid oxygen/hydrocarbon (LOX/HC) auxiliary propulsion system (APS) concepts for a second generation Space Shuttle Orbiter. The APS consists of: (1) an orbital maneuvering subsystem (OMS), (2) an aft reaction control subsystem (ARCS), and (3) a forward reaction control subsystem (FRCS). The overall study approach compares candidate LOX/HC concepts and evaluates major system/component design options, regarding the overall system, pressurization assembly, propellant tankage and feedline, accumulator, and engine conditioner and thrust chamber assemblies. Among the HC fuels considered are C3H8, CH4, NH3, and C2H5OH.

Orton, G. F.↗

NASA NTRS1981

An ICR investigation of ion-molecule reactions of HCN

Laboratory reaction rates and product distributions measured by the ion cyclotron resonance technique are reported for a series of reactions of HCN(+) ions with the neutral molecules HCN, CH4, NH3, H2O, CO, CO2, N2 and O2. Rate coefficients are also reported for reactions of positive ions derived from these molecules with HCN. A comparison of the results with a survey of literature values for rate coefficients of HCN(+) reactions shows some exothermic proton transfers from HCN(+) to be inefficient.

Mcewan, M. J.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Cross section for Ly-alpha emission by electron impact on methane

Utilizing Lyman-alpha emission cross sections for H2 as secondary standards, absolute values of Lyman-alpha emission cross sections for CH4 have been obtained for electron impact energies varying from threshold to 100 eV. A crossed electron beam-molecular beam geometry was employed and the Lyman-alpha radiation was detected at 90 deg and 45 deg with respect to the incident electron beam by a solar blind photomultiplier in tandem with an oxygen filter. The results are compared with previous measurements. Appreciable differences among the various experimental data are found.

Orient, O. J.↗

NASA NTRS1981

High-spectral-resolution imagery of Saturn

High-spectral-resolution images of Saturn over the wavelengths of the 6196.8-A feature of CH4 were obtained and used to extract line profiles for the observed feature over the disk of Saturn and to determine the spatial variation of the equivalent width at the time of the observations. The result of the observations is consistent only with a single class of models for the vertical structure of the atmosphere of Saturn, namely, the homogeneous scattering models. Reflecting-layer or two-layer models are at a striking variance with the observations. With these data, the requirements for new observations to determine the finer details of the vertical structure of Saturn's atmosphere can be specified.

Smith, W. H.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Jupiter - Structure and composition of the upper atmosphere

The Voyager ultraviolet stellar occultation data yield a temperature of 200 + or - 50 K at about 400 km, and the solar occultation data give 1100 + or - 200 K at 1450 km above the ammonia cloud tops. The temperature gradient between 400 and 1450 km is approximately 1 K/km. The mesospheric temperature structure gives no strong indication of an earth-like mesopause. The heating of the upper atmosphere appears to result from a combination of magnetospheric charged particle precipitation, ion drag, inertia gravity waves, and solar EUV. The volume mixing ratios of CH4 and C2H6 at 325 km are measured to be 2.5(+3, -2) x 10 to the -5th and 2.5(+2.0, -1.5) x 10 to the -6th, respectively, which are lower than in the stratosphere. The C2H2 volume mixing ratio is not greater than 5 x 10 to the -6th at 300 km. The homopause value of the equatorial eddy diffusion coefficient is found to be 1-2 x 10 to the -6th sq cm/s.

Atreya, S. K.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Photochemistry of acetylene at 1470 A

The considered study was conducted to assess the importance of the major primary photochemical process of acetylene at 1470 A, to clarify the role of the metastable excited state, and to obtain information on the rates of C2H reactions with H2 and CH4. Concerning the photodissociation process of acetylene, it was found that at acetylene pressures below 0.8 Torr the direct dissociation process (C2H2 yields C2H + H) is the most important primary photochemical process with a quantum yield of 0.3. Another primary process may be the production of H2 with a quantum yield of approximately 0.1 (C2H2 yields C2 + H2). At acetylene pressures above 0.8 Torr diacetylene is formed by the direct dissociation process followed by the reaction: C2H + C2H2 yields C4H2 + H. At pressures above 20 Torr benzene becomes an important product with a concomitant decrease of diacetylene. The role of acetylene in the photochemistry of the Jovian atmosphere is also considered

Okabe, H.↗