Arsine in Saturn and Jupiter

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (34) References (15) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Arsine in Saturn and Jupiter Noll, K. S. ; Geballe, T. R. ; Knacke, R. F. Abstract New spectra of Saturn and Jupiter are reported that show a prominent, heretofore unidentified absorption near 2126/cm. The observation is interpreted as unambiguous evidence for the presence of arsine, AsH3. The abundance of AsH3 appears to be almost a factor of two higher in Saturn than in Jupiter. The observed enrichments are consistent with the core instability model for the formation of giant planets. Models of arsenic chemistry that predict strong depletions of AsH3 at temperatures below 370 K are not consistent with the observations, suggesting that vertical convection or perhaps some other mechanism inhibits depletion. Arsenic is the first new element identified in a planetary atmosphere since germanium was found in Jupiter a decade ago. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: March 1989 DOI: 10.1086/185404 Bibcode: 1989ApJ...338L..71N Keywords: Absorption Spectra; Arsenic Compounds; Jupiter Atmosphere; Planetary Composition; Saturn Atmosphere; Abundance; Hydrogen Compounds; Spectral Bands; Spectral Resolution; PLANETS; GIANT PLANETS; SATURN; JUPITER; ARSINE; ABSORPTION; MODELS; ATMOSPHERE; ARSENIC; ENRICHMENT; ABUNDANCE; DEPLETION; SPECTRA; GASES; EARTH-BASED OBSERVATIONS; CHEMISTRY; FORMATION; ORIGIN; ANALYSES; Lunar and Planetary Exploration; Planets; ABUNDANCES; PLANETS: JUPITER; PLANETS: SATURN full text sources ADS |