Work

A supersolar oxygen abundance supported by hydrodynamic modelling of Jupiter’s atmosphere

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Jupiter's oxygen content is inextricably tied to its formation history and the evolution of the early solar system. Recent one-dimensional thermochemical modeling of CO showed that the planet's bulk water content could be subsolar, in stark contrast to the water enrichment determined near the equator using the Juno spacecraft. Here, we use a hydrodynamic model to study Jupiter's atmospheric dynamics at and below the water cloud level with simplified CO thermochemistry to show the effect of hydrodynamics on the abundance of CO in the troposphere. Our dynamical modeling results are inconsistent with the 0.3 times solar water enrichment levels. Furthermore, we reveal a correlation between moist convection and the CO abundance at the water cloud level. If such a correlation is found observationally, subsolar water abundance can be ruled out.

Source: Nature Astronomy

DOI: 10.1038/s41550-024-02420-7

Authors: Ali Hyder, Cheng Li, Nancy Chanover, Gordon Bjoraker

Institutions: New Mexico State University, University of Michigan, Goddard Space Flight Center

Language: English

Topic: Astro and Planetary Science

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $12,290

Funders: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, University of Texas at Austin, Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin