Abstract The most recent analysis of the Voyager ultraviolet solar occultation observations at Neptune indicates a methane mixing ratio 1–10 times above saturation in the lower stratosphere, unlike the value of 500–1000 times saturation which was suggested just before the encounter of Voyager with Neptune. The acetylene mixing ratio in the 0.1 mb region is found to be (6–8) × 10−8, which is approximately a factor of 3 lower than the value reported in our Voyager/Science paper. The eddy diffusion coefficient at the homopause, (1–3) × 107 cm2 s−1, is found to be more like that on Saturn than Uranus. The new results on CH4, C2H2 and K have strong implications for the stratospheric temperatures, now warmer, and the source of heating. Furthermore, the pre-Voyager models of the hydrocarbon hazes need to be revised in view of the new model atmosphere.
Hydrocarbons and eddy mixing in Neptune's atmosphere
Advances in Space Research ; 12 , 11 ; 11-18
1992-01-01
8 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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