Optical parameters of the atmosphere in the region of the equatorial belt of Jupiter based on the results of observations in 1980

The intensities of weak, moderate and strong methane absorption bands at λ0.5 - 1.1 μm are studied as well as the brightness distribution along the equatorial belt at some wavelengths within the strong absorption band of CH₄ 8860 Å. The estimates of the CH₄ abundance in the atmosphere above the clouds and the characteristics of the cloud layer are derived from these measurements in terms of two classes of the scattering function.