G. L. Tyler

The atmosphere of Titan: An analysis of the Voyager 1 radio occultation measurements

Abstract Two coherently related radio signals transmitted from Voyager 1 at wavelengths of 13 cm (S-band) and 3.6 cm (X-band) were used to probe the equatorial atmosphere of Titan. The measurements were conducted during the occultation of the spacecraft by the satellite on November 12, 1980. An analysis of the differential dispersive frequency measurements did not reveal any ionization layers in the upper atmosphere of Titan. The resolution was approximately 3 × 10 3 and 5 × 10 3 electrons/cm 3 near the evening and morning terminators, respectively. Abrupt signal changes observed at ingress and egress indicated a surface radius of 2575.0 ± 0.5 km, leading to a mean density of 1.881 ± 0.002 g cm −3 for the satellite. The nondispersive data were used to derive profiles in height of the gas refractivity and microwave absorption in Titans troposphere and stratosphere. No absorption was detected; the resolution was about 0.01 dB/km at the 13-cm wavelength. The gas refractivity data, which extend from the surface to about 200 km altitude, were interpreted in two different ways. In the first, it is assumed that N 2 makes up essentially all of the atmosphere, but with very small amounts of CH 4 and other hydrocarbons also present. This approach yielded a temperature and pressure at the surface of 94.0 ± 0.7°K and 1496 ± 20 mbar, respectively. The tropopause, which was detected near 42 km altitude, had a temperature of 71.4 ± 0.5°K and a pressure of about 130 mbar. Above the tropopause, the temperature increased with height, reaching 170 ± 15°K near the 200-km level. The maximum temperature lapse rate observed near the surface (1.38 ± 0.10°K/km) corresponds to the adiabatic value expected for a dry N 2 atmosphere—indicating that methane saturation did not occur in tbis region. Above the 3.5-km altitude level the lapse rate dropped abruptly to 0.9 ± 0.1°K/km and then decreased slowly with increasing altitude, crossing zero at the tropopause. For the N 2 atmospheric model, the lapse rate transition at the 3.5-km level appears to mark the boundary between a convective region near the surface having the dry adiabatic lapse rate, and a higher stable region in radiative equilibrium. In the second interpretation of the refractivity data, it is assumed, instead, that the 3.5 km altitude level corresponds to the bottom of a CH 4 cloud layer, and that N 2 and CH 4 are perfectly mixed below this level. These assumptions lead to an atmospheric model which below the clouds contains about 10% CH 4 by number density. The temperature near the surface is about 95°K. Arguments concerning the temperature lapse rates computed from the radio measurements appear to favor models in which methane forms at most a limited haze layer high in the troposphere.

Initial results from radio occultation measurements with Mars Global Surveyor

A series of radio occultation experiments conducted with Mars Global Surveyor in early 1998 has yielded 88 vertical profiles of the neutral atmosphere. The measurements cover latitudes of 29°N to 64°S and local times from 0600 through midnight to 1800 during early summer in the southern hemisphere (Ls = 264°–308°). Retrieved profiles of pressure and temperature versus radius and geopotential extend from the surface to the 10-Pa pressure level. Near-surface uncertainties in temperature and pressure are about 1 K and 2 Pa, respectively, far smaller than in previous radio occultation measurements at Mars. The profiles resolve the radiative-convective boundary layer adjacent to the surface and also reveal gravity waves, particularly at northern and equatorial latitudes, which appear to be breaking in some cases. Distinctive meridional gradients of pressure and temperature indicate the presence of a low-altitude westerly jet at latitudes of 15°–30°S at southern summer solstice. This jet appears in predictions of general circulation models in connection with the strong, seasonal, cross-equatorial Hadley circulation. The pressure gradient at ∼2 km altitude implies a wind speed of 33 m s−1, stronger than predicted, which may help explain the occurrence of numerous local dust storms within this latitude band in late southern spring. These measurements also characterize the response of the atmosphere to stationary thermal forcing at midsouthern latitudes, where high terrain south of Tharsis and low terrain in Hellas Planitia produce large, zonal temperature variations in the lowest scale height above the surface. Pressure measured at constant geopotential decreases at an average rate of 0.13% per degree Ls, due primarily to condensation of CO2 at the North Pole.

The vertical profile of winds on Titan

One of Titans most intriguing attributes is its copious but featureless atmosphere. The Voyager 1 fly-by and occultation in 1980 provided the first radial survey of Titans atmospheric pressure and temperature and evidence for the presence of strong zonal winds. It was realized that the motion of an atmospheric probe could be used to study the winds, which led to the inclusion of the Doppler Wind Experiment on the Huygens probe. Here we report a high resolution vertical profile of Titans winds, with an estimated accuracy of better than 1 m s-1. The zonal winds were prograde during most of the atmospheric descent, providing in situ confirmation of superrotation on Titan. A layer with surprisingly slow wind, where the velocity decreased to near zero, was detected at altitudes between 60 and 100 km. Generally weak winds (∼1 m s-1) were seen in the lowest 5 km of descent.

Venus - Mass, gravity field, atmosphere, and ionosphere as measured by the Mariner 10 dual-frequency radio system

Analysis of the Doppler tracking data near encounter yields a value for the ratio of the mass of the sun to that of Venus of 408,523.9 � 1.2, which is in good agreement with prior determinations based on data from Mariner 2 and Mariner 5. Preliminary analysis indicates that the magnitudes of the fractional differences in the principal moments of inertia of Venus are no larger than 10-4, given that the effects of gravity-field harmonics higher than the second are negligible. Additional analysis is needed to determine the influence of the higher order harmonics on this bound. Four distinct temperature inversions exist at altitudes of 56, 58, 61, and 63 kilometers. The X-band signal was much more rapidly attenuated than the S-band signal and disappeared completely at 52-kilometer altitude. The nightside ionosphere consists of two layers having a peak density of 104 electrons per cubic centimeter at altitudes of 140 and 120 kilometers. The dayside ionosphere has a peak density of 3 X 105 electrons per cubic centimeter at an altitude of 145 kilometers. The electron number density observed at higher altitudes was ten times less than that observed by Mariner 5, and no strong evidence for a well-defined plasmapause was found.

Voyager 2 radio science observations of the Uranian system Atmosphere, rings, and satellites

Voyager 2 radio occultation measurements of the Uranian atmosphere were obtained between 2 and 7 degrees south latitude. Initial atmospheric temperature profiles extend from pressures of 10 to 900 millibars over a height range of about 100 kilometers. Comparison of radio and infrared results yields mole fractions near the tropopause of 0.85 and 0.15 � 0.05 for molecular hydrogen and helium, respectively, if no other components are present; for this composition the tropopause is at about 52 kelvins and 110 millibars. Distinctive features in the signal intensity measurements for pressures above 900 millibars strongly favor model atmospheres that include a cloud deck of methane ice. Modeling of the intensity measurements for the cloud region and below indicates that the cloud base is near 1,300 millibars and 81 kelvins and yields an initial methane mole fraction of about 0.02 for the deep atmosphere. Scintillations in signal intensity indicate small-scale stucture throughout the stratosphere and upper troposphere. As judged from data obtained during occultation ingress, the ionosphere consists of a multilayer structure that includes two distinct layers at 2,000 and 3,500 kilometers above the 100-millibar level and an extended topside that may reach altitudes of 10,000 kilometers or more. Occultation measurements of the nine previously known rings at wavelengths of 3.6 and 13 centimeters show characteristic values of optical depth between about 0.8 and 8; the maxim value occurs in the outer region of the ∈ ring, near its periapsis. Forward-scattered signals from this ring have properties that differ from those of any of Saturns rings, and they are inconsistent with a discrete scattering object or local (three-dimensional) assemblies of orbiting objects. These signals suggest a new kdnd of planetary ring feature characterized by highly ordered cylindrical substructures of radial scale on the order of meters and azimuthal scale of kilometers or more. From radio data alone the mass of the Uranian system is GMsys = 5,794,547– 60 cubic kilometers per square second; from a combination of radio and optical navigation data the mass of Uranus alone is GMu = 5,793,939� 60 cubic kilometers per square second. From all available Voyager data, induding imaging radii, the mean uncompressed density of the five major satellites is 1.40� 0.07 grams per cubic centimeter; this value is consistent with a solar mix of material and apparently rules out a cometary origin of the satellites.

Radio science with Voyager 1 at Jupiter - Preliminary profiles of the atmosphere and ionosphere

A preliminarv profile of the atmosphere of Jupiter in the South Equatorial Belt shows (i) the tropopause occurring at a pressure level of 100 millibars and temperature of about 113K, (ii) a higher warm inversion layer at about the 35-millibar level, and (iii) a lower-altitude constant lapse rate matching the adiabatic value of about 2 K per kilometer, with the temperatutre reaching 150 K at the 600-millibar level. Preliminary afternoon and predawn ionospheric profiles at 12� south latitude and near the equator, respectively, have topside plasma scale heights of 590 kilometers changing to 960 kilometers above an altitucde of 3500 kilometers for the dayside, and about 960 kilomneters at all measured heights above the peak for the nightside. The higher value of scale height corresponds to a plasma temperature of 1100 K under the assumption of a plasma of protons and electrons in ambipolar diffusive equilibrium. The peak electron concentration in the upper ionosphere is approximately 2 x 105 per cubic centimeter for the dayside and about a factor of 10 less for the nightside. These peaks occur at altitudes of 1600 and 2300 kilometers, respectively. Continuing analyses are expected to extend and refine these results, and to be used to investigate other regions and phenomena.

Radio science with voyager 2 at saturn: atmosphere and ionosphere and the masses of mimas, tethys, and iapetus.

Voyager 2 radio occultation measurements of Saturns atmosphere probed to the 1.2-bar pressure level, where the temperature was 143 � 6 K and the lapse rate apparently equaled the dry adiabatic value of 0.85 K per kilometer. The tropopause at both mid-latitude occultation locations (36.5�N and 31�S) was at a pressure level of about 70 millibars and a temperature of approximately 82 K. The stratospheric structures were very similar with the temperature rising to about 140 K at the 1-millibar pressure level. The peak electron concentrations sensed were 1.7 x 104 and 0.64 x 104 per cubic centimeter in the predawn (31�S) and late afternoon (36.5�N) locations. The topside plasma scale heights were about 1000 kilometers for the late afternoon profile, and 260 kilometers for the lower portions and 1100 kilometers for the upper portions of the topside predawn ionosphere. Radio measurements of the masses of Tethys and Iapetus yield (7.55 � 0.90) x 1020 and (18.8 � 1.2) x 1020 kilograms respectively; the Tethys-Mimas resonance theory then provides a derived mass for Afimas of (0.455 � 0.054) x 1020 kilograms. These values for Tethys and Mimas represent major increases from previously accepted ground-based values, and appear to reverse a suggested trend of increasing satellite density with orbital radius in the Saturnian system. Current results suggest the opposite trend, in which the intermediate-sized satellites of Saturn may represent several classes of objects that differ with respect to the relative amounts of water, ammonia, and methane ices incorporated at different temperatures during formation. The anomalously low density of lapetus might then be explained as resulting from a large hydrocarbon content, and its unusually dark surface markings as another manifestation of this same material.

Wave directional spectra from synthetic aperture observations of radio scatter

We have measured the directional distribution of waves produced by a quasi-stationary, homogeneous wind field. This was done by observing radio backscatter from the LORAN A transmitter on Wake Island. The LORAN frequency of 2 MHz is in Bragg resonance with 7S ocean waves. A directional resolution of ±3° has been attained from a synthesized antenna formed by moving the receiver at constant speed along the airport taxiway. The directional distribution of the 7S ocean waves as inferred from the variable scatter cross-section compared favorably with directional moments measured with a pitch-and-roll buoy. The directional wave energy is found to fall off monotonically with angle θ relative to the wind, in accord with a model cosS(12θ) proposed by Longuet-Higgins, Cartwright and Smith, Ocean wave spectra, pp 111–136, Prentice-Hall (1963); s increases with wind speed and decreases with frequency, and can be plotted against a single parameter μ = μ∗/cκ, where √ (u∗/ρ) is wind stress, c is phase velocity, and κ = 0·4 is von Karmans constant. The radio measurements give an upper limit of 0·02 for the upwind/downwind ration in wave energy flux. The ratio of up-down to cross-wind components in mean-square slope computed for the cosS(12θ) model is compared to the ratio inferred from measurements of sun glitter. The (second-order) mean-square pressure fluctuations at great depth are computed from our estimates of oppositely traveling wave energy.

Radio occultation measurements of forced atmospheric waves on Mars

Mars Global Surveyor performed a series of radio occultation experiments in December 1998, resulting in 36 profiles of the neutral atmosphere in late northern spring (Ls = 74.1°–77.3°). The measurements are confined in latitude (64.6°–67.2°N) and local time (0321–0418), but their distribution in longitude is fairly uniform. We used least squares spectral analysis to characterize the zonal structure of the atmosphere and constructed longitude-height cross sections of both temperature and geopotential. Zonal variations of temperature exceed 12 K near the surface but are much smaller (2–3 K) at higher altitudes. Zonal variations of geopotential are ∼200 m throughout the vertical range of the measurements. These patterns of temperature and geopotential appear to be stationary relative to the surface with little day-to-day variation within the 7-sol span of the measurements. We relied heavily on Mars general circulation models (GCMs) for guidance in understanding these data. Stationary planetary waves are responsible for some aspects of the temperature and geopotential fields, particularly at pressures exceeding 100–200 Pa. On the basis of strong similarities between a GCM simulation and the observations, we conclude that the disturbance takes the form of a planetary wave train excited by Alba Patera. The data also include the signature of non-Sun-synchronous thermal tides, which produce a pattern that appears to be stationary when sampled at fixed local time. Comparison between a GCM simulation and the measured geopotential field provides evidence for the presence of the resonantly enhanced, diurnal, wave-1 Kelvin mode.

Radio science with voyager at jupiter: initial voyager 2 results and a voyager 1 measure of the io torus.

Voyager 2 radio signals were observed essentially continuously during a grazing occultation of the spacecraft by the southern limb of Jupiter. Intensity data show a classic atmospheric occultation profile and the effects of turbulence and ionospheric focusing and defocusing. No reliable profile of the neutral atmosphere has yet been obtained, primarily because of a combination of large trajectory uncertainties and error multiplication effects associated with the grazing geometry of the Voyager 2 occultation. Analysis of the dispersive ionospheric refraction data yields preliminary profiles for the topside ionosphere at 66.7�S (entry in the evening) and 50.1�S (exit in the morning) that are reversed with respect to corresponding Voyager 1 profiles in terms of plasma concentration at a fixed altitude. Plasma scale heights and temperatures of 880 kilometers, 1200 K and 1040 kilometers, 1600 K were obtained for morning and evening conditions, respectively. Preliminary reduction of the pre-encounter occultation of Voyager 1 by the Io torus yields an average plasma density of about 1000 electrons per cubic centimeter.