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At least 127 records · Page 7
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NASA NTRS1983

Tentative confirmation of an aurora on Uranus

There have been three recent reports of the detection of Lyman-alpha radiation (due to atomic hydrogen, H, at wavelength 1,216 A) from Uranus by means of the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) satellite. The interpretations of these results differ. Two reports conclude that there is a strong aurora on Uranus, but the third concludes that the source is resonance scattering of solar Lyman-alpha. This paper reports the detection of emission features due to molecular hydrogen, H2, near 1,600 A. This detection is near the limit of the IUE sensitivity. If it is real, the detection of H2 emission strongly supports the conclusion that Uranus has an aurora comparable in strength with those of the inner two giant planets, Jupiter and Saturn. The first published IUE spectra of the Saturn aurora are also presented.

Caldwell, J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Aurora on Uranus - A Faraday disc dynamo mechanism

A mechanism is proposed whereby the solar wind flowing past the magnetosphere of Uranus causes a Faraday disk dynamo topology to be established and power to be extracted from the kinetic energy of rotation of Uranus. An immediate consequence of this dynamo is the generation of Birkeland currents that flow in and out of the sunlit polar cap with the accompanying production of polar aurora. The power extracted from planetary rotation is calculated as a function of planetary dipole magnetic moment and the ionospheric conductivity of Uranus. For plausible values of ionospheric conductivity, the observed auroral power requires a magnetic moment corresponding to a surface equatorial field of the order of 4 Gauss, slightly larger than the value 1.8 Gauss given by the empirical 'magnetic Bodes law'.

Hill, T. W.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Near Infrared Imaging of Uranus and Neptune

Imaging of Uranus and Neptune in the deep methane absorption band at 890nm is used to detect high altitude atmospheric hazes and to search for possible undiscovered close in satellites. The appearances of Uranus and Neptune are very different from one another and Uranus seems to be changing with time. The Neptune images show rotation in the direct sense.

Bradford A Smith↗
NASA NTRS1984

Interior structure of Uranus

Key measurements are discussed which are diagnostic of Uranus' interior structure and evolutionary history, and reviews their present status. Typical interior models have chondritic cores, but have the bulk of their mass in an envelope consisting of ice component, principally H2O. The total amount of free H2 in the planet cannot exceed approximately 1 to 2 earth masses. Measurements of the gravitational moments of Uranus are beginning to be accurate enough to constrain models, but are limited in utility by uncertainty in the rotation period. Discussed is evidence that the outermost planetary layers have a gravitationally significant quantity of denser material (ice component?) in addition to H2 and He. The He/H ratio and the deuterium abundance in the atmosphere may be diagnostic of the planet's previous evolutionary history. It is argued that the planet's interior is likely to now be at a temperature approximately 10(3) deg K. Uranus' interior with Neptune's in a number of ways, considering heat flow, degree of internal differentiation, and possible magnetic field.

Hubbard, W. B.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Rotational Properties of Uranus and Neptune

An assessment of recent research bearing on the rotational properties of Uranus and Neptune is given. It is concluded that these properties are best described by the following estimates; URANUS: Direction of pole = alpha (1950) = 256:72 delta (1950) = -15:04 with an absolute uncertainty of about 0:2, Period = 15 to 17 hours; Sense of spin = Retrograde; NEPTUNE: alpha (1950) = 297:8; delta (1950) = + 41:2, with an uncertainty of about 4 degrees towards the pole of Triton's orbit, Period = 18.2 + or - 0.4 hours, Sense of spin = Prograde. There is a clear signature of large scale, zonal, atmospheric flows in observations of the atmosphere of Neptune. Wind velocities are at least as great as 109 m.sec-1. There is no evidence pro or con for atmospheric motions in the Uranus case.

Belton, M. J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Oblatenesses of Uranus and Neptune

The oblateness of a planet is closely related to its rotation rate and internal mass distribution, and is therefore an important indicator of gross planetary structure. Analysis of Stratoscope II images of Uranus yields epsilon = 0.022 + or - 0.001, and stellar occultation observations yield epsilon = 0.024 + or - 0.003. Because of the current pole on aspect of Uranus, it is unlikely that a significantly more accurate value can be determined by stellar occultations before Voyager 2 encounters Uranus in January, 1986. Neptune's oblateness has been determined from stellar occultation observations made in 1968 and 1983. The 1968 observations yield an oblateness of 0.021 + or - 0.004. A recent determination of Neptune's oblateness using both the 1968 and 1983 observations is consistent with this value. Space Telescope observations of several stellar occultations by Neptune could provide a significantly more accurate determination of the oblateness before the Voyager 2 encounter in 1990.

French, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Absolute spectrophotometry of Titan, Uranus, and Neptune 3500-10,500 A

The present absolute measurements of Titan, Uranus and Neptune geometric albedo spectra in the 3500-10,500 A range have a resolution of about 7 A, together with high SNR, in virtue of the exceptional effeciency of the spectrograph and Reticon detector employed. The high precision and spectral resolution of the data, which are in excellent agreement with the Uranus albedo measurements of Lockwood et al. (1983), make possible quantitative measurements of the effects of Raman scattering by H2 in the Uranus and Neptune atmospheres.

Neff, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Atmospheric temperature profiles of Uranus and Neptune

Far-infrared spectrophotometry of Uranus and Neptune in the 30-55 micron spectral range is presented. The measurements in the present six independent spectral bands allow the derivation of atmospheric temperature profiles for these planets. Both planets are found to have tropopause temperatures near 53 K, with Neptune having a stronger stratospheric temperature inversion than Uranus. Effective temperatures of 57.7 + or - 1.8 K and 58.2 + or - 1.9 K are obtained for Uranus and Neptune, respectively, confirming the large internal heat source in Neptune.

Moseley, H.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Bolometric albedos of Titan, Uranus, and Neptune

The energy budgets of Titan, Uranus, and Neptune are reevaluated using new observational data on energy input as well as unpublished data on energy output. The bolometric geometric albedo of each object was determined, and preliminary determinations of the phase functions were used to compute the Bond albedos and effective temperatures. The values for the latter are 83 + or - 2 K for Titan, 57 + or - 2 K for Uranus, and 47 + or - 2 K for Neptune. The effective temperature of Titan is greater than the observed brightness temperatures in the thermal infrared region of the spectrum, indicating that the emissivity is less than unity for this part of the spectrum. An internal luminosity of (3.9 + or 1.1) x 10 to the 15th W is found for Neptune, and an upper limit of (0.6 + or - 1.4) x 10 to the 15th W is found for Uranus.

Neff, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Predicted occultations by Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto 1985-1990

Predictions are presented for 54 occultations by Uranus' ring system, 24 occultations by Uranus, 22 occultations by Neptune, and ten possible occultations by Pluto during the period 1985 through 1990. Notable occultations by Uranus occur 24 May 1985, 16 April 1987, 27 May 1990, 21 June 1990, and 7 August 1990. The best Neptune occultations are on 7 June 1985 and 25 May 1990. Of the Pluto events, there are six which are nominally observable somewhere on the earth, although uncertainties in Pluto's position combined with uncertainties in the star positions preclude prediction of a ground track until just before the events.

Mink, D. J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The internal structures and the relative rotation rates of Uranus and Neptune

An analysis of the difference between the interior structures of Uranus and Neptune is presented, based on models which fit the observed mass, radius, and gravitational moments for the assumed rotation periods of these planets. If Uranus and Neptune are assumed to be as similar in internal structure as they are in mass and radius, the rotation period for Neptune must be shorter than that for Uranus. It is suggested that the true rotation period is given by Neptune's oblateness, while the photometric period corresponds to the motion of Rossby waves in the upper atmosphere.

Podolak, M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Voyager 2 and Uranus

The performance of the Voyager 2 spacecraft up to now is reviewed, and its planned performance as it passes Uranus is discussed. Problems encountered by the spacecraft since it left earth are described, and how they were solved is reported. The mode of transmitting data from distant planets and satellites is addressed. The techniques that will be used by Voyager to study the atmosphere, magnetosphere, ring system, and satellites of Uranus are discussed, and the key events of Voyager at Uranus are shown in a table.

Miner, E. D.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Estimates of the bolometric albedos and radiation balance of Uranus and Neptune

Models possessing an upper haze layer of finite optical depth and a lower cloud layer of infinite optical depth at discrete altitudes are used to bound the wavelength-averaged phase integrals and bolometric albedos of Uranus and Neptune. The models differ in the assumed value of the particles' single scattering phase function and the wavelength dependence of the haze optical depth. A range of phase functions, from the isotropic to those characterizing Titan, Jupiter, and Saturn atmosphere particles, are discussed. The results obtained imply that the meteorological regimes in the observable atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune may differ considerably; internal heat flux could play a much more important role for Neptune than for Uranus.

Pollack, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Voyager 2 navigation to Uranus

Navigating the upcoming Voyager 2 encounter with Uranus presents unique challenges and opportunities. Uranus will be the most distant planetary encounter carried out to date, with a 2.75 hour delay each way for communication. Furthermore, Voyager 2 is the most sophisticated spacecraft ever used for first encounter with a planetary system. In this paper the special features of the encounter are analyzed from a navigation point of view. First, the most relevant science opportunities are introduced. Then the challenges posed by the Uranian distance and geometry are outlined. The result of a detailed navigation accuracy study is presented. Finally, the unique features of optical navigation at Uranus are shown.

Gray, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

JHK photometry of Uranus and Neptune occultation candidate stars: 1986-1990

A report of 20 stars to be occulted by Neptune and 46 stars to be occulted by Uranus during the period 1986-1990 has been provided by Mink and Klemola (1985). This paper has the objective to present J, H, and K magnitudes for most of these stars. It is pointed out that Uranus and Neptune occultation events observed in the K band give optimal signal-to-noise ratios due to the planets' strong methane absorption at 2.2 microns. Program stars and standards were observed over six nights with the aid of the 30- and 74-in telescopes at the South African Astronomical Observatory in Sutherland. The obtained results show that several bright candidates exist for both planets. The brightest are N55 for Neptune and U37, U41, and U65 for Uranus.

Covault, C. E.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Interplanetary optical navigation - Voyager Uranus encounter

Optical observations were necessary during the Voyager II Uranus approach and encounter in order to meet mission navigational requirements. In this paper, the overall optical navigation system and operation at Uranus are outlined. The formulation of the optical observables are presented, as well as their subsequent integration into the overall orbit determination products. Optical data analysis and some resulting orbit determination results from Uranus are shown. Certain scientifically important results were natural outcomes of the optical data analysis, and these are also reviewed. Finally, certain optical navigation related problems are anticipated at the forthcoming Neptune encounter in 1989; these are briefly discussed as are plans to deal with them.

Synnott, S. P.↗
NASA NTRS1986

The rotation period of Uranus

On 24 January 1986 the spacecraft Voyager 2 transversed the innermost magnetosphere of the planet Uranus, coming as close as 4.2 Uranus radii to the planet. It is pointed out that the magnetic field data provide a direct measure of the rotation period of the planet's interior, where the field is generated. Two period determinations are reported. A combination of the obtained values provides a weighted mean value of P = 17.24 + or - 0.01 h. It is concluded that the 17.24-h rotation period has important consequences for studies of atmospheric dynamics and the internal structure and composition of Uranus. Thus, inferences regarding the internal structure can be drawn from the relationship between the observed planetary oblateness, rotation period, and gravitational moment.

Desch, M. D.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Ground-based studies of Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune in support of the Galileo and Voyager missions

Profiles were obtained for Uranus at a spectral resolution exceeding 450,000 for four quadrupole lines of H2. A preliminary reduction of the line profile for the S3(0) transition is shown. Excellent data for the determination of the HD abundance for Uranus was obtained for the R5(0) and R5(1) transitions. An HD profile is shown. Preliminary analysis yields a value for the D/H ratio similar to that for Jupiter. Complete spatial coverage was obtained of Jupiter in spectrally resolved NH3 lines for which the molecular parameters are known. The S4(1) and S3(1) H2 features for Neptune were observed. While the S4(1) feature has the same equivalent width as for Uranus, the S3(1) feature is about 40% smaller. The Titan observations have confirmed the previous observations of the 6819 A CH4 feature for Titan. The profile width is consistent with the surface pressure determined via Voyager observations.

Smith, W. H.↗