Jupiter's Atmospheric Composition from the Cassini Thermal Infrared Spectroscopy Experiment
Smith, M. D.; Strobel, D. F.; Lellouch, E.; Orton, G. S.; Calcutt, S. B.; Taylor, F. W.; Spilker, L. J.; Pearl, J. C.; Flasar, F. M.; Bézard, B.; Ade, P.; Coustenis, A.; Fouchet, T.; Achterberg, R. K.; Jennings, D. E.; Nixon, C. A.; Carlson, R. C.; Romani, P. N.; Courtin, R.; Coradini, A.; Ferrari, C.; Owen, T. C.; Samuelson, R. E.; Simon-Miller, A. A.; Barucci, A.; Read, P. L.; Bjoraker, G. L.; Marten, A.; Conrath, B. J.; Kunde, V. G.; Gierasch, P. J.; Gautier, D.; Prangé, R.; Abbas, M. M.; Raulin, F.; Irwin, P.; Brasunas, J. C.; Mamoutkine, A. A.; Parrish, P.; Biraud, Y.; Césarsky, C. J.; Grossman, K. U.
United States, France, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy
Abstract
The Composite Infrared Spectrometer observed Jupiter in the thermal infrared during the swing-by of the Cassini spacecraft. Results include the detection of two new stratospheric species, the methyl radical and diacetylene, gaseous species present in the north and south auroral infrared hot spots; determination of the variations with latitude of acetylene and ethane, the latter a tracer of atmospheric motion; observations of unexpected spatial distributions of carbon dioxide and hydrogen cyanide, both considered to be products of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 impacts; characterization of the morphology of the auroral infrared hot spot acetylene emission; and a new evaluation of the energetics of the northern auroral infrared hot spot.