A study of the upper atmosphere of Uranus using the IUE
Abstract
The 1750 Å band of C2H2 has been detected in an IUE spectrum of Uranus recorded in 1980. The derived C2H2 column density is 6.8±3.4×1016cm-2. Eddy diffusion coefficients of 104cm2s-1 or smaller at the homopause result in an abundance of photochemically produced C2H2 which is too low compared to the measurements. On the other hand, the results with K = 105 or 106cm-2s-1 are virtually undistinguishable from each other but give acceptable agreement with the data. The observed C2H2 is controlled by photochemistry and not by saturation, which takes place at lower altitudes.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- July 1986
- Bibcode:
- 1986A&A...162..317E
- Keywords:
-
- Ultraviolet Astronomy;
- Uranus Atmosphere;
- Abundance;
- Acetylene;
- Atmospheric Composition;
- Iue;
- Molecular Spectra;
- Upper Atmosphere;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration