Interior Structure of Neptune: Comparison with Uranus
Abstract
Measurements of rotation rates and gravitational harmonics of Neptune made with the Voyager 2 spacecraft allow tighter constraints on models of the planet's interior. Shock measurements of material that may match the composition of Neptune, the so-called planetary "ice," have been carried out to pressures exceeding 200 gigapascals (2 megabars). Comparison of shock data with inferred pressure-density profiles for both Uranus and Neptune shows substantial similarity through most of the mass of both planets. Analysis of the effect of Neptune's strong differential rotation on its gravitational harmonics indicates that differential rotation involves only the outermost few percent of Neptune's mass.
- Publication:
-
Science
- Pub Date:
- August 1991
- DOI:
- 10.1126/science.253.5020.648
- Bibcode:
- 1991Sci...253..648H
- Keywords:
-
- Neptune (Planet);
- Planetary Rotation;
- Planetary Structure;
- Uranus (Planet);
- Density Distribution;
- Gravitation Theory;
- Neptune Atmosphere;
- Pressure Distribution;
- Voyager 2 Spacecraft;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration